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THE ADVENTURE OF 
LADY URSULA 



THE ADVENTURE OF 
LADY URSULA 

A COMEDY IN FOUR ACTS 



By 
ANTHONY HOPE \Ao^\i^^ 



Copyright, 1910, by Samuel French, Ltd 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 
Publisher 
28-30 WEST 38TH STREET 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd 

26, Southampton Street 

STRAND 






©CI.D 2134V 



The Amateur Fee for each and every representa- 
tion of this play is Five Guineas, payable in advance 
to the author's agents •: — 

Messrs. SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd., 

26, Southampton St., 

Strand, London, 

or their authorized representatives. 

No performance may take place unless a written 
authority has first been obtained. 



THE ADVENTURE OF LADY 
URSULA 

This play was originally produced at the Duke of York's 
Theatre, London, on Tuesday, October 11, 1898, with the 
following cast : — 

31 r. Percy Lyndal. 
Mr. Herbert Waring. 
Mr. George Raiemond. 
Mr. Chas. Fulton. 
Mr. Cosmo Stuart. 
Mr. J. C. Buckstone. 
Mr. Sam Sothern. 
Mr. H. E. Raynor. 
Mr. J. W. Macdonald. 
Mr. J. W. Laurence. 
Mr. F. Lake. 
Mr. Frank Collins. 
x4unt to Dorothy Fenton. 

Miss Florence Haydon. 
Betrothed to Lord Hassenden. 

Miss Agnes Miller. 

Sister to Lord Hassenden. 
Miss Evelyn Millard. 



The Earl of Hassenden 
Sir George Sylvester . 
The Rev. Mr. Blimboe . 
Mr. Dent . . . 
Mr. Castleton. 
Mr. Devereux . 
Mr. Ward . . 
Sir Robert Clifford 

QUILTON .... 

Mills .... 
Footman (in Act II) 
Servant (in Act III) 
Mrs. Fenton . 

Dorothy Fenton . 

The Lady Ursula Bar- 
RINGTON 



All the costumes, wigs, and properties used iii the 
production of " The Adventure of Lady Ursula ' 
have been prepared and may be hired or purchased 
reasonably from Messrs. C. H. Fox, Ltd., 27, 
Wellington Street, Strand, London. 



THE ADVENTURE OF LADY 
URSULA 

ACT I. 

Scene. — Oak (gothic) chamber. The Earl of Has- 
senden's house at Edgware near London, hetiveen 
4 and 5 on an autumn afternoon, a window hack c, 
a door l. 3, a fireplace R. 2 E., room is panelled, in 
the panel l. below door is a full-length mirror. 

(Blimboe, Mrs. Fenton and Dorothy discovered. 
Dorothy stands by windoiv. Mrs. Fenton sits 
by fireplace. Blimboe stands r. c. above work-table 
holding skein of wool for Mrs. Fenton.) 

Mrs. Fenton. If your leisure is exhausted, sir, 
I must not beg you to stay ; but I regret that, on 
your first visit as Rector of the parish, you have 
not found Lady Ursula at home. 

Blimboe. I share your regret to the full, 
ma'am. 

Mrs. Fenton. Dorothy, shouldn't Ursula be 
back from her walk soon ? 



8 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act I. 

Dorothy, {at window c.) I — I don't know 
when she will be back, aunt. 

Blimboe. I fear I must take my leave. Sir 
George Sylvester expects me. As you may have 
heard, I am his guest until my parsonage is ready. 

Dorothy, {coming doivn l. c. to tea table, futs 
tea from caddy into tea-pot, then pours hot water out 
of kettle) Sir George is an old friend of yours, isn't 
he? 

Blimboe. Yes, and a good friend. He gave me 
the hving, Miss Fenton ! 

Dorothy. He doesn't visit here. We have 
never seen him, though Lord Hassenden used to 
meet him in town formerly. 

Blimboe. You must pardon his rudeness. You 
know the story ? 

Dorothy. Something about a duel ? 

Blimboe. Yes, he killed his best friend in a duel ! 

Dorothy, {sits on ottoman c.) About — about a 
lady, wasn't it, Mr. Blimboe ? 

Blimboe. Yes, and I fear she was not worth one 
good man's life and another's bitter grief. 

Mrs. Fenton. I'm sure of it ! 

Blimboe. So he has sworn to fight no more, 
to go no more into the society of women, and to 
admit no lady to his house. 

Dorothy. Surely, Mr. Blimboe, you don't approve 
of such barbarous oaths ? 

Blimboe. The second part only is barbarous — 
and the first only has my approval. 



Act I] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 9 

Mrs. Fenton. Yes, but it's true enough that 
wherever women come, quarrels come. 

(Dorothy rises, goes up to ivindow.) 

These duels are fearful things. Pray, Mr. Blimboe, 
have you read in the Postboy of the affair in Dublin ? 
{She takes up a paper from the table) Lord Hassen- 
den says the town is ringing with it. 

Dorothy, {comes r. behind chair) What was it ? 

Blimboe. Yes, yes — between Colonel Joicey and 
Mr. McArthur. 

Mrs. Fenton. Brothers-in-law ! 

Dorothy, {attempts to take paper) And they 
fought ? What was the quarrel about ? 

Blimboe. About 

Mrs. Fenton. {picks up paper, throws it into 
fire) It is of no consequence about what. They 
fought after dinner, across the table. 

Dorothy. What, lunging with their swords 
among the decanters ? Oh, they must have looked 
absurd ! {crosses door R. of Mrs. Fenton) 

Mrs. Fenton. They fought with pistols, child. 

Blimboe. Pardon me, ma'am, with one pistol, 
for the other was unloaded. Each combatant drew 
one at random. 

Mrs. Fenton. Yes, and Mr. McArthur drew the 
right one and shot the Colonel through the head. 
He fell across the table, dead in an instant, and 
breaking all the glasses. 

Dorothy. How horrible ; I think Sir George 



10 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act I. 

Sylvester is quite right not to figlit. {goes up to 
window again) 

Mrs. Fenton. Is Ursula in sight, Dorothy ? 

Dorothy. No, I see nothing of her. 

Mrs. Fenton. (rises — takes wool from Blimboe, 
puts it on table) Then we mustn't detain you, Mr. 
BHmboe. But stay — we shall be at home this even- 
ing. Pray come and play a game of Cassino with 
us, and make yourself known to Ursula. 

Blimboe. (crossing to door l. 3 e.) With the 
utmost pleasure. I won't fail you. Ladies, your 
servant, (he hows) 

(Mrs. Fenton^ and Dorothy curtseij.) 

(Blimboe goes off l. 3 e.) 

Dorothy, (coming down to tea table) I wish he'd 
bring Sir George with him. 

Mrs. Fenton. My dear, if Sir George does not 
wish to know the ladies of the neighbourhood, nothing 
can be more undignified than to seek or even to 
desire acquaintance with him. (sits again by fire- 
place) 

Dorothy, (at tea-table l., pours tea and brings 
cup to Mrs. Fenton) But he's such an interesting 
man, Ursula says. 

Mrs. Fenton. Interesting indeed ! He certainly 
was a noted duellist, and I'm afraid a sad rake too. 

Dorothy. Do you think all that makes him less 
interesting, aunt ? If I were not going to marry 
Frank 



Act I] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 11 

Mrs. Fenton. Pray don't let Lord Hassenden 
hear you say such things. 

Dorothy. Of course not, but I may say them 
when he doesn't hear me, I suppose. Anyhow, 
Ursula finds him interesting, {to window again) 
She must be back soon, unless — oh ! what fun ! 
But I should lose my wager. 

Mrs. Fenton. What are you talking about, my 
dear ? 
(Dorothy comes down l. of her, laughs, whispers in 

her ear, then R. of her.) 
What ? What do you say, Dorothy ? Heaven's 
above us. Gone to Sir George Sylvester's — Ursula 

gone to 

(Dorothy laughs and nods.) 

Well, what young women are coming to, I don't 
know ! 

Dorothy, {down at ottoman) Oh, people always 
say that. I suppose they always will, and — we 
never do anything striking after all. Anyhow, it's 
Ursula, not me. I wonder if the trick can have 
succeeded ? 

Mrs. Fenton. Pray let me hear no more about it ! 

Dorothy. Very well, {coming down, she sits c. 
on ottoman, and yawns) 

(Mrs. Fenton coughs — Dorothy yawns, Mrs. 
Fenton coughs again) 
Where's Frank, too ? 

Mrs. Fenton. My dear ! 



12 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act I. 

Dorothy. Oh, how dull it is. 

Mrs. Fenton. (pmise) What is this disgraceful 
trick, Dorothy ? (placing cup on table) 

Dorothy. Well, you told me not to talk about 
it, but— it's so amusing, (rises and crosses to Mrs. 
Fenton.) Oh, but you'll betray it to Frank ! 

Mrs. Fenton. I won't — indeed I won't ! 

Dorothy, (l. of Mrs. Fenton and behind her 
laughing), I believe you like a joke after all, aunt ! 
Well, Ursula has wagered me that she'll gain admis- 
sion to Sir George's house. 

(Bus. Mrs. Fenton attempts to rise — astonished— 
Dorothy pushes her into chair.) 

Mrs. Fenton. What? Well? (sits) 

Dorothy, (sitting on stool r.) Just to make 
him break his oath, you know. She's gone out 
walking with Quilton — ^he's devoted to her and will 
do anything she tells him — and when she comes to 
Sir George's gates, she'll turn faint and Quilton will 
help her up the avenue, and ring the bell, and Ursula 

will sink down on the doorstep and then (sitting 

on stool) , 

Mrs. Fenton. (severely) Well — and then ? 

Dorothy, (crosses and sits r. of her on footstool) 
Oh, then I've wagered he won't ask her to walk in, 
and she's wagered he will. Oh, which do you think 
he'll do, aunt ? The wager is six pairs of the finest 
silk stockings. And I have no money, and I can't 
ask Frank for them, can I ? Not yet, I mean. 



Act I] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 13 

Mrs. Fenton. And if Ursula does force her way 
in, in this fasliion ? 

Dorothy. Oh, if she does make her way in — 
well, I shouldn't wonder if she went again. 

Mrs. Fenton. If I had known such escapades 
were to go on, I'd never have brought you here. I 

hope, Dorothy, that when you're married {rises 

and crosses l. then down) 

(Dorothy rises and goes up r. to window.) 

— you will exert an influence for good on your sister- 
in-law. 

Dorothy, (absently, looking out of windoiv) Yes, 
I will, aunt. 

Mrs. Fenton. {rises with cup and goes to tea-table) 
You have been genteelly and religiously brought up. 

Dorothy, {as before) Yes, I have, aunt, {comes 
down L. and speaks over Mrs. Fenton' s shoulder just 
as she pours out tea) Oh, I wonder what's happened ? 
Do you think he'll let her in ? 

Mrs. Fenton. {putting doivn cup in surprise on 
table L.) My dear, I don't take the least interest in 
the subject, {going l.) But if I had done such a 

thing when I was a girl (bus. stands before 

mirror) 

Dorothy, (c. laughing) Sir George wouldn't 
have let you in, auntie ! 

Mrs. Fenton. {sees Dorothy's reflection in 
mirror) I said nothing of the kind, Dorothy. Why 
are you laughing, pray ? 



14 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act T. 

Dorothy, {goes up c.) At the idea, aunt. 

(Mrs. Fenton lools severely at her and goes to door l., 
turns, catches Dorothy laughing, says " Dorothy .' ") 

(Exit Mrs. Fenton l. 3.) 

Never mind, I don't think she'll tell Frank, [runs 
to window) Oh, there's Ursula ! {glances at cloch) 
She can't have got in — it's too early. Then I've 
won the wager. Now what colour shall I have my 
stockings ? 

{Enter Ursula l. ; she seems out of breath and agitated. 
Crosses front of Dorothy and throws herself into 
chair R. by fire and sits silent. Dorothy comes 
down R. c. by her.) 

You've lost, you've lost, Ursula. Now this time, 
positively, you must pay the stakes. I wagered you 
six pairs of the finest 

Ursula, (r.) Oh, do be quiet, Dorothy. I'm 
not thinking of stockings. I'd give sixty pairs to 
be out of this business, {jumping up and coming 
to c.) A terrible thing has happened, Dorothy. 

Dorothy. A terrible thing ? Why, what ? 

Ursula, (r. c. impressively) If Frank is dead 
by this time to-morrow, it will be my fault, {sits 
on ottoman) 

Dorothy, {comes down r. c.) Frank dead — 
dead by this time to-morrow! Oh, what do you 
mean ? {kneels R. by Ursula) 



Act I] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 15 

Ursula. I'll tell you all about it. (pathetically) 
Oh, try — try not to hate me, darling. 

Dorothy. Tell me what you mean about 
Frank. 

Ursula. I am telling you — only you interrupt 
me. 

(Dorothy jumps up.) 
I went there — to that odious man's — ^you know — 
as — as we arranged and 

Dorothy. We didn't arrange, it was all your 
idea. 

Ursula. Well, you incited me. 

Dorothy. No, I dissuaded you. 

Ursula, (both up r. c.) You wagered 

Dorothy, (folloivs her) That was to dissuade 
you. Oh, but go on. 

Ursula. Oh, you'll be against me ! (r. c. doivn 
to fireplace R.) Of course. I don't care, I couldn't 
foresee what would happen. It was just the un- 
luckiest 

Dorothy, [follows — table between them) Are you 
never going on ? 

Ursula. The very moment you'll be quiet and 
let me ! 

Dorothy. Quiet ! How can I be quiet when 
Frank's in peril of ? 

Ursula. Very well. 
(A pause. They look defiantly at one another.) 

Dorothy. Oh, go on then, {sits on ottoman c.) 

B 



16 THE ADVEN'TURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act I. 

Ursula. I went there and — and I fainted, (r. 
of worJc-tahle) I'd planned everything with Quilton 
most perfectly. He helped me up the avenue and 
left me — dropping on a seat. Then he went to the 
door and gave my compliments, said I was ill, and 
begged leave to rest myself for a little while before 
I resumed my walk. The servant shut the door, we 
waited, he came back with the answer — Sir George 
Sylvester presented his compliments to Lady Ursula 

Barrington and 

Dorothy. Would she honour him by stepping in ? 
Ursula, (crosses to tea table l. c.) No ! Would 
she take a glass of wine. 

Dorothy. Well, well, Ursula ? 
Ursula. I sent again. My compliments, I was 
obliged to Sir George, but I needed nothing except a 
few moments' rest on a sofa. Although, in truth, I 
was by then ashamed to go in, for my cheeks were as 
red as Frank's uniform. 

Dorothy. And what answer did he send to 
that ? 

Ursula. Sir George's compliments. He re- 
gretted that his establishment did not admit of his 
receiving ladies, but he begged me to consider the 
porter's lodge at my disposal, and to rest there so 
long as I might be inclined, (sits chair l.) 
Dorothy. The porter's lodge ! 
Ursula. The porter's lodge. 
Dorothy. What barbarity ! But you've lost 
the wager, Ursula J 



Act I] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 17 

Ursula. Oli ! that for the wager ! How am I 
to tell you, Dorothy? Now comes the dreadful 
thing ? 

Dorothy, (rises, goes to her) About Frank ? 

Ursula. Yes, about Frank. Just at that mo- 
ment, as the devil would have it — 

[A movement from Dorothy.) 
Oh, I know, my dear, but it was the devil if ever any- 
thing was — just at that moment who should come 
riding by but Frank ? He saw me on the seat in the 
avenue and Quilton still by the door. " What's 
this ? " he calls — off his horse in a moment ! And 
that silly old Quilton — I suppose he thought he was 
helping me — told him that I was ill, and had asked 
leave to rest, but that Sir George had told me to go 
to — to the porter's lodge. You know Frank's tem- 
per — at least you will soon. 

Dorothy. Frank's the sweetest temper 

(Ursula rises, crosses up to window c. Dorothy 
follows to L. c.) 

Ursula. Oh, sweet as gunpowder, my dear, and 
twice as quick. When he heard those words — 
porter's lodge — a Barrington sent to the porter's 
bdge — he blazed out in an instant, ordered me of! 
home — on my soul I forgot to go on being faint {comes 
down c.) and sent Qailton with a message that Sir 
George was no gentleman, that Sir George had in- 
sulted his sister, that an insult to his sister was an 
insult to him, that Sir George used to know, even if 



18 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act I. 

he had ceased to practise, the rules of conduct com- 
mon among gentlemen, and that — oh, there was 
plenty more, but the sum of it all was that Sir George 
should hear from him. {crossing to fire-place r. helow 
table R.) 

Dorothy, {crossing to r. c.) Hear from him ? 

Ursula, (r.) That he'd send his seconds to him, 
you know. I left Frank waiting for the answer, but 
of course Sir George must go out. 

Dorothy, {crosses to Ursula) Go out ! Fight, 
you mean — fight ? 

Ursula. Yes. He doesn't want to fight, you 
know, because of his last affair ; but he must after 
Frank's words. 

Dorothy. Oh, how terrible ! {clutching her arm) 
Ursula, they won't fight as Joicey and McArthur 
fought ? 

Ursula. How was that ? Oh, you mean the 
Dublin duel ? {crossing to c.) 

Dorothy. Yes — the table between them — with 
one pistol only loaded, each drawing one at 
random. 

Ursula, {sits on ottoman c.) No, they won't 
fight like that, {shakes her head) 

Dorothy, {stands r. by fireplace) Thank Heaven 
for so much at least ! 

Ursula. It'll be worse than that. For Frank, I 
mean. 

Dorothy, {rises, crosses to her) Worse ? 

Ursula. Yes, that would be an even chance. 



Act'I] ^ THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 19 

As it is, Sir George'll have the choice of weapons, and 
everybody says he's the finest swordsman in London. 
Dorothy. Oh, you wicked, wicked girl. (bus. 
shakes Ursula by shoulders) It's all your fault, 
because you were so — so undignified — and — forward 
and unladyhke. Oh, what shall I do ? Frank'U be 
killed, {crosses to fireplace R., sobs) 

(Ursula sits looking rigidly in front of her. A pause. 
Enter Quilton l. breathless and in haste; he stands 
looking at them, 

Ursula. So you may suppose I'm not thinking 
much about your stockings. 

Quilton. (cofnes down door l. c.) Beg pardon, 
my lady. Sir George sends word that my lord may 
send his friends as soon as my lord pleases, and Sir 
George will be pleased to name his. 

Dorothy. Oh ! 

Ursula. Where is my brother, Quilton ? 

Quilton. On his way here, my lady. He is 
anxious to see and console your ladyship. 

Ursula. Console me ! 

Dorothy. Console her ! 

Quilton. He'll be here directly, (going up 
l. c.) Beg your ladyship's pardon — shall I say that 
your ladyship is better ? 

Ursula. No, Quilton ; worse, worse. 

Quilton. Worse, worse ! 

(Quilton goes off l.) 



20 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act L 

(Ursula loohs at Dorothy, crosses to l., thefi crosses 
R., sighs.) 

Ursula. I must tell Frank the truth, that's all. 
{pauses) And he must tell Sir George and apologise 
for what he said under a misapprehension. Perhaps 
that will prevent the meeting. 

Dorothy. What will Sir George think of you ? 

Ursula. I suppose he'll think me the most ill- 
bred and impudent girl he ever heard of. (up R.) 

Dorothy. Yes, that's exactly what he'll think. 

Ursula. I don't care ; I'd do anything sooner 
than let them fight, (pause) You might pity me 
a little, Dorothy, I'm very unhappy, (sits R. on l. 
arm of chair) 

Dorothy. Pity you ! I'll keep my pity for my 
poor dear Frank, (rises, crosses to fireplace) 

Ursula, (sits r. of table r.) How perversely 
things happen ! It was no more than a little jest of 
mine and 

(Enter Hassenden l. Dorothy runs over to him, 
crosses behind Ursula and throws her arms round his 
neck.) 

Dorothy, (l. c.) Oh, darhng Frank, must you 
fight this awful man ? 

Hassenden. (tenderly) Yes, dear, I must go out 
with him. Don't fear for me. I can take care of 
myself, (leaves Dorothy) 

(Dorothy goes up to window c. sobbing.) 



Act I] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 21 

(comes to Ursula, lays his hand on her chair and hends 
over her) My poor insulted sister ! 

Ursula, {rises, a step down r.) Don't kiss me ! 

Dorothy. Poor insulted sister indeed ! {comes 
down L. c.) 

Hassenden. (r. c, looking from one to the other) 
Wliy — what do you mean ? 

Dorothy. Oh, I'll leave Ursula to tell you herself. 

Hassenden. To tell me what ? 

Dorothy. What she has done. 

Hassenden. (c.) If there is anything to tell, 
pray tell me quickly. I am on guard to-night and 
must leave for town immediately. I need not add 
that I have fresh business on hand now. 

Ursula, (hy fireplace r.) Frank, there must be 
no meeting between Sir George Sylvester and you 
over this matter. 

Hassenden. (c.) But by Heaven there must. 
The challenge is given and accepted. Neither can 
draw back, {goes up l. c, puts down ivhip and hat 
on sofa, goes down to Dorothy l.) 

Ursula. There must be no meeting on account 
of the way in which Sir George used me. What he 
did was less than my deserts. I was playing a trick 
on him ! {stands front of table r.) 

(Hassenden tur^is suddenly, and is about to speak.) 

Oh, you need say nothing ! You need not tell 
me what you think of me. I wanted to have a 
laugh against him. He refused to admit a woman 



22 THE Adventure of lady Ursula. [Act i. 

to his house. I tried to procure entrance by pre- 
tending a fit of faintness. Well, I failed, I did not 
get in, he sent me to the porter's lodge. 

Hassenden. (crosses to table) Is this true, 
Ursula ? 

Ursula, (standing down r.) Yes, it is all true. 
I tried and I failed. There the matter would have 
ended, if you had not chanced to come by. (crosses 
Dorothy l. c.) 

(Dorothy goes front of table to c. Ursula front of 
settee and up c.) 

Hassenden. (goes r.) As I did chance to come 
by, there it does not end ! It ends and must end 
elsewhere. 

Dorothy, (crosses to Hassenden r. c.) But, 
Frank — you can tell him 

Ursula. You can explain that your words 



Hassenden. Sir George Sylvester is too fine a 
swordsman for his opponent to be very ready with 
apologies. 

Dorothy. Oh, that's just a man's senseless 
reason, (cross to r. of him, crying) 

Hassenden. (takes her hand, detailing her) Ah, 
Dorothy, and what is to be my apology ? What's 
my excuse ? (holds Dorothy's hand, places her to 
R. of him and turns to Ursula who is up l.) That I 
have a sister — Lady Ursula Barrington — whose 
habit it is to force her acquaintance on gentlemen 



Act I] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 23 

who do not desire it, and her way into their houses 
when they do not invite her. 

(Ursula stands quite still. A pause.) 
Shall I be welcomed among my brother officers with 
those excuses on my lips ? 

Dorothy, (r. of him) But they will understand — 

Hassenden. (front of table r.) Believe me, if I 
sheltered myself behind such a plea, it is not one but 
twenty quarrels that I have on my hands. 

Dorothy. Oh, and it was my fault too, because 
I 

Ursula, {comes a step c.) Stop ! It was my 
fault and mine only. The trick was entirely of my 
devising. 

Hassenden. (turns to Ursula) A pretty trick 
indeed ! A very pretty trick ; it might have cost 
your reputation, it is likely to cost only my life. 
(turns to Dorothy) Good-bye, dearest. Hush, not 
a word ; I must go. I will see you again before — 
before anything further happens. Good-bye. (kisses 
her, goes upL. c, pauses, takes up hat and whip, turns 
and looks at Ursula, goes l.) You have one more 
brother. Pray indulge yourself in one more such 
trick. Good-day to you. 

(Hassenden hows and goes off l.) 

(Dorothy sits r. and cries.) 

(Ursula still stands ivithout movement. A pause.) 
Ursula, (c. up stage) What's the use of crying ? 



24 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act I. 

Tears are no armour for Frank. Tears won't turn 
Sir George's sword. We can do nothing, so let us 
laugh — let us laugli ! Dolly, isn't it ludicrous in 
truth ? A mad girl plays a trick and a brave gentle- 
man, her dear brother, dies for it. Isn't it laugh- 
able ? {walks to window, looks out for a moment) 
It's growing dusk ! 

(DoEOTHY lifts her head and looks at Ursula. A 
pause.) 

Well, if Frank won't tell the truth, I will tell it to Sir 
George myself, {goes doivn l. in front of mirror) 

Dorothy, {leaning fonvard) Ursula ! You'll 
write to him ! 

Ursula, {looking in mirror) No, he would not 
mind a letter, {taking a step hack, smiling a little 
and striking an attitude) No, I shall fare better — 
face to face — I'll go to him ! 

Dorothy, {leaning across table) Go to him. 
Oh, and plead with him ? 

Ursula. Yes ! {she arranges her hair and dances 
a step or two before the mirror) And plead with him. 

Dorothy. But — but how are you going to get at 
him ! 

(Ursula wheels round suddenly, goes up c.) 

You can't waylay him in the street, {goes up c.) you 
can't go faint again, and if you did he would — he 
would only send his compliments and make you 
welcome to — the porter's lodge ! 



Act I] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 25 

Ursula. I'll effect an entrance if — if I have to 
kiss the footman ! {rmis to Dorothy) Take heart, 
Dolly, dear Dolly ! Your beau shan't be killed, nor 
my cruel brother either. 

(Dorothy hj fireplace r. c.) 

Oh, if Walter were here and not in France. He could 
help me. 

Dorothy, (folloiving her doivn l. to her) Walter ? 
What could he do ? Except be second to Frank in 
the duel ? 

Ursula. Why, he could go to Sir George and tell 
him what Frank won't tell him. 

(Dorothy leaves Ursula, goes r., sits.) 

Oh, to be a man for an hour ! (pauses) Walter 
could get in ! I can't — unless {glances at tvindow, it 
is growing dusk) Unless in the dark, I were mistaken 
for a man. 

Dorothy. What's the use of talking in that 
fashion ? Mistake you for a man ! (sits R.) 

Ursula, (going up to window) It's growing 
dark ! (turns and looks at Dorothy r.) I'm a good 
height, I can bear myself upright. I'm like Walter. 
(feels chin) Walter's chin is still smooth enough. 
(comes quickly to Dorothy r. over her shoulder) 
I'm going to help Frank. Will you help. him — help 
him by helping me ? 

(Dorothy dissents.) 

Oh, I know what may be said if I am found out. 



26 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act I. 

What do I care if I can prevent this duel ? Dolly, 
will you help me ? 

Dorothy. How? In what — only tell me. (s^Y^m^) 

Ursula. By keeping my secret, and by being on 
the look out — to let me in when I come, (goes 
up c.) 

Dorothy. Let you in ? Are you going out [moves 
to c, rising) to Sir George's again, Ursula ? 

Ursula, {turns to her) Yes, to Sir George's again. 
Will you do what I ask of you — will you, Dolly ? 
(catches her hands) 

Dorothy, (drawing bach) I'll do anything to 
help Frank. 

Ursula, (reproachfully) And nothing to help 
me now ? (takes her hands smiling) But I'll win 
your love again. 

(Dorothy pulls her right hand away.) 

(still holding on to Dorothy's left hand, chases her to 
c.) And to punish you, I'll win the stockings after 
all. No, you shall kiss me. (kisses Dorothy who 
is reluctant, but at last kisses her, laughing a little, runs 
L. calling) Quilton ! Quilton ! (going up to door l., 
then down to mirror l.) 

(She stands before mirror, assumes a jaunty attitude 
and draws her skirt above and away from her foot. 
Drops her skirt hastily, turns away and comes down 
c. as Quilton enters carrying a large box. He sets 
it down up L. c. as Ursula speaks to him.) 



Act I] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 27 
Has my lord gone to town yet ? 

(DoKOTHY rises, crosses to fireplace.) 

QuiLTON. (l. c, coming down) He has just set 
out, my lady. He hopes to be back in the early 
morning. 

Ursula, {going to him l. c.) Dear old Quilton, 
I'm in great trouble. 

Quilton. There's nothing new in that, (laughs) 

Ursula. And it is by my own fault. 

Quilton. (c.) Nor is that neither. But you'll 
coax your way out of it, and there'll be nothing new 
in that neither, [laughs) 

Ursula, (l. puts hand afjectionately on his shoul- 
der) Shall I, Quilton ? Not unless you help me. 

Quilton. Ah, and there'll be nothing new in that 
neither. I remember well enough when you were a 
naughty little girl [laughs) 

Ursula. For Heaven's sake, don't remember 
that. Indeed you remember it too often. 

(Quilton laughs.) 

Tell me what suits of Mr. Walter's have you here ? 

(Dorothy looks up startled and listens.) 

Most of them, I know, he took with him to France. 

Quilton. Why, my lady, for what reason do you 
desire to know ? 

Ursula. Oh, never mind why. Tell me, tell me. 
Dolly, come here and listen. 



28 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act I. 

Dorothy, (coming to c. r. of Quilton ivJio 
is between them). But why in tlie world are 
you ? 

Ursula. If either of you love me, no more ques- 
tions. The suits, Qiiilton ! Dear Qailton, the suits ! 

Quilton. (laughs) Well, God knows the ways of 
your mind, my lady. Well then, there is the black 
slashed with red. 

Ursula, (crosses to l.) Oh, I'm not going to 
play the devil in Dr. Faustus. 

Quilton. There's the white and gold. 

Ursula. Alas, I am not going to a wedding. 

Quilton. There's a buf! and violet. 

Ursula. I should be like a Whig in mourning ! 

(Dorothy stands c.) 

Quilton. There's the sage-green. 

Ursula. I am not wise — and I have no man yet 
to be jealous of. 

Dorothy. But, Ursula ((ping to Ursula) 

Ursula, (lets go Quilton's arm) Hush, you'll 
understand directly, and I have your promise of 
secrecy. 

Quilton. There's the pink. 

Ursula, (to the mirror, pushes him l., looks over 
his shoulder into mirror) Oh, it kills my face ! Are 
there no more ? 

Quilton. No more, my lady. 



Act I] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 29 

Ursula. That ever my plan should be baulked 
like this ! For I had better not go at all than go in 
a colour that doesn't become me. {sits on ottoman c.) 

Dorothy. Oh, I understand, {clasping her hands) 
Ursula, how shall you ? {falls bach a little) 

Ursula, (c.) {on ottoman) Is there absolutely 
no other, Quilton ? 

QuiLTON. (l.) None, my lady, except {goes 

up l. c. to box of clothes) 

Dorothy, {looks at box) What's this ? {runs 
to it, kneels r. of box, reads address on it) To the 
Honourable Walter Barrington at Edgware. (looks 
at Ursula and reads again) The suit as commanded 
in blue and white. 

Ursula. Blue and white ? 

Quilton. It's Mr. Walter's new suit, my lady — 
ordered for the Ambassador's Ball in France. I 
brought the box here that your ladyship might write 
the French address on it for me. 

Ursula. Blue and white ! {crosses up to c, 
meets Dorothy ivho is l. of her) Oh, Dolly, the 
colours become me to a marvel, what a blessed chance ! 
{crosses to mirror l. looking at herself) 

Quilton. (l. c.) It must go to Paris at once, my 
lady. 

Ursula, {up to door l.) It must go first to Sir 
George Sylvester's. 

Quilton. To Sir George Sylvester's — and who 
to go in it then ? 



30 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act I. 

Ursula, (up at door l.) Why, I am, Quilton. 
[comes down c.) 

(Quilton chuckles. Dorothy places her hand over 

his mouth.) 
Oh, laugh away, but I'll do it. Give me the box, 
Dolly. 
(Dolly and Quilton lift the box and carry down to 

ottoman C.) 
And, Quilton, you must dress my hair, (pats Quilton 
on shoulder) 

(Ursula goes to ottoman c, uncovers box.) 

Quilton. God save us, and what'll my lord say ? 
{chuckling) 

Dorothy, (r. of ottoman) My lord mustn't know. 
{then down l. of table l.) 

Quilton. And what'll Mr. Walter say ? She's 
going to wear the breeches ! 

{Exit Quilton.) 

Ursula, {crosses to above ottoman c.) Dolly, 
Dolly, see here's the coat — a beautiful coat ! {crosses 
to L., then back to R.) 
(Dorothy runs to her — Ursula hands coat to Dorothy 

who slips coat over Ursula's shoulder. Ursula 

runs to mirror l. Dorothy takes out waistcoat.) 
{coming c.) And what a waistcoat ! 

Dorothy, (l. c.) Yes — and {takes out the 

breeches, unfolds them and holds them up) Look at 
the 



Act I] THE ADVENTURE OF LA.DY URSULA. 31 

Ursula. Oh, the ! (crosses quickly to Dorothy 

c, takes breeches) 

(Dorothy takes coat from her shoulders, Ursula runs 
across to Dorothy, both examine the breeches laugh- 
ing. Ursula holds them in front of her goivn as 
though measuring them. Dorothy laughs and 
claps her hands. While they are thus engaged, Mrs. 
Fenton enters l. and stands a moment looking.) 

Mrs. F. (l. at door) What are you doing ? 
{comes down l.) What have you there ? (l. c.) 

Ursula, (hides breeches, Dorothy hides coat. 
Only — only Walter's new clothes, Mrs. Fen- 
ton. 

Dorothy, (r. c.) Yes — only — only Walter's new 
clothes, aunt. 

Ursula, (c.) They've just come home, they're 
for the Ambassador's Ball at Paris. 

Dorothy, (r. c.) They have to go to Paris at 
once. Aren't they pretty ? 

Ursula. We were just looking at them — and — 
and — seeing whether they — I mean hoping they would 
fit, you know, (drops breeches on floor c.) 

Mrs. Fenton. (down to c.) Hum, a nice em- 
ployment for you, young ladies. Pray, do ladies 
usually scrutinize gentlemen's clothes, to see whether 
they fit ? 

Ursula. Only — only when the gentleman's 
inside them, as a rule, I suppose, (nudges Dorothy 
mischievously) 



32 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act L 

Mrs. Fenton. It was not the custom in my girl- 
hood, {crosses to mirror, then hack to L. c.) 

Dorothy, {doivn r.) No, I suppose not, aunt. 

Mrs. Fenton. Come, dears, fold them neatly, 
and put them away. As for you, Ursula, I have 
heard of your proceedings. You should be ashamed 
of yourself. 

(Dorothy drofs coat on floor.) 

Ursula, [hachs up r. c.) Indeed I am. Fold up 
the coat, Dorothy. 

(Dorothy kneels down r. and is folding coat.) 

Oh yes, I am, Mrs. Fenton. {picks up breeches from 
floor) I'll fold these. 

Mrs. Fenton. (l. front of tea-table) And now 
you're looking at a gentleman's clothes. Well, I 
suppose you'll be trying them on next, {crosses l. 
down) 
(Dorothy laughs, and Ursula hits her ivith the 

breeches and smothers laugh in coat, Mrs. Fenton 

at mirror.) 

Ursula, (r. c. above door) Trying them on ! 
Oh fie, Mrs. Fenton ! Do be quick and put them 
back in the box, Dorothy ! 
(Mrs. Fenton goes up l. c. Ursula again makes 

as though to measure the breeches, Mrs. Fenton 

turns round, and Ursula begins to fold them hastily. 

Dorothy folding coat on floor R.) 
Oh, Dorothy, don't crease the coat, or I shall — I — I — 



Act I] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 33 

mean — or Walter will look {still holds the 

breeches) 

Mrs. Fenton. [ujj c. to door l.) Come with me, 
Dorothy. I want you to write a letter for me. {goes 

L.) 

Dorothy, {crosses to box c, places coat in box) 
I'll come in an instant, aunt. 

Mrs. Fenton. And do endeavour to conduct 
yourselves with more gentility. 

{Exit Mrs. Fenton l. 1 e.) 

Ursula, {drops breeches into box, crossing up, 
loohing after Mrs. Fenton) Oh, I'll conduct myself 
with infinite gentility, {crosses back to c.) Dolly, 
I'll be the finest gallant in the town. You shan't 
see me for fear you forsake poor Frank and fall in 
love with me all in a moment. 

Dorothy, {amazed, baching doivn r.) You'll 
wear them ? You'll go in them to Sir George ? 

Ursula. I will. 

Dorothy. And, Ursula, can you — ah, can you 
prevent a duel ? 

Ursula, {coming to her r.) No, Dolly. 

Dorothy. And Frank will be killed 

Ursula, {going back to c. ahove box) No, Frank 
will not be killed. 

(Dorothy folloivs her to r. c. and jails crying r. oj 
ottoman.) 



34 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act I. 

(c. holding breeches by one leg) There must be a duel 

but — 

I will figbt it with Sir George ! 

QUICK CURTAIN. 
END OF ACT I. 



ACT 11. 

Scene. — Sir George Sylvester's house at Edgware. 
Eight p.m. The dining-room. Door up l. down r. 
At hack L. c. large window in a recess ivith curtains 
drawn across. Centre l. a large square table ivith 
decanters and glasses. Long pipes. Tobacco, snuff, 
candlesticks, hand-bell, lighted candles. 

{Discovered. Blimboe and Castleton r. at table. 
Castleton's hat, cloak and sword on chair r. c.) 

Castleton. {sitting r. of table) Plague take it, 
George is too good a fellow to play the liermit in this 
ridiculous fashion. 

Blimboe. {up by -fireplace i..) He has three things 
to mourn, sir. His own sin 

Castleton. {coming doivn l.) Good gad, sir, 
he was the aggrieved party 

Blimboe. But he was obstinate in the quarrel 
— his own sin, I say, a friend's death, and a woman's 
falseness. 

Castleton. Give 'em a month each, and they're 
well paid. But two years ! It was a fair fight — 
his life against another's — and now to live in a hole. 



36 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IL 

to refuse to cross swords with a man, or glances with 
a woman — to 

Blimboe. It argues great constancy of character. 

Castleton. The devil take such constancy. I 
think, sir, you hardly allow for what is incumbent 
in a gentleman. 

Blimboe. Ah, you're quoting the last words 
McArthur spoke before he killed his sister's husband ! 

Castleton. There I'm with you. To fight across 
a table with one pistol only loaded — that's murder 
if you like. 

Blimboe. No more than any duel when a man 
falls— 

{Enter Sylvester e. 2 e.) 

No ! No ! (comes down to table) To fight in a 
private quarrel is a sin, to break an oath is a sin, 
and 

(Sylvester comes up c. stage.) 

Castleton. On my soul, to refuse to see a pretty 
girl — whether in or out of a faint, I care not — is a 
heinous sin. {sees Sylvester) Ah, George, you've 
heard us. 

Sylvester. Yes, I've heard you, and I'm damned 
three times over. For I would not see her and I will 
not. Fight I will, and to fight I must break my oath. 
{crosses to above table L. c.) 

(Blimboe sits l. of table.) 

Castleton. The oath had no sense, George : no 



Act II] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 37 

consistency, no harmony of its members. For to 
keep the part concerning women was bound to run 
you into a discourtesy. 

Blimboe. True, Mr. Castleton ; very well put, sir. 

Castleton. And from discourtesy follows fight- 
ing, as pat as one kiss from another. 

Blimboe. Yet the Scriptures tell us 

Castleton. Ah, we live in other times, and a man 
cannot be at odds with his times. 

Blimboe. The case is difficult, I own. 

Sylvester, (standing above table l. c. laughing) 
For a parson who loves fighting, mighty difficult. 
[claps Blimboe on the shoulder) This fellow's a 
glutton for it in his heart. But for his cloth we 
should none of us be safe, {fills fife, sighing) But 
I regret this affair. Hassenden's a good fellow, 
though he's over hot in the head — and plague take 
it, when I see my man opposite me I am bound to 
use my knowledge, (lunges with fife) 

Blimboe. You need do no more than touch him 
— the wrist say, or somewhere safe in the shoulder. 
This is not a Joicey and Mc Arthur business. 

Castleton. No — no more of that butchery in 
Heaven's name ! 

Sylvester. He offered me most direct insults, 
and I love a neat thrust, Jack, (sits at head of table) 

Castleton. That you did always. But — does 
the oath hold good except for Hassenden ? 

Sylvester. For you anyhow, say what you will. 
(shakes hands) 



38 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY UESULA. [Act II. 

Castleton. Then give me leave to tell you you're 
a fool. Ah, make as many vows to women as you 
like, but none about them ! 

Blimboe. Now pray, sir, why so ? 

Castleton. Because the keeping of the first de- 
pends on your own mind, and the keeping of the 
second depends mainly on theirs. 

(All laugh.) 

(to Sylvester) Besides, George, I hear that the 
lady whom you would have sent to your porter's 
lodge is to be the belle of London — the prettiest crea- 
ture, they say, in all the town. She passed a season 
in York, and broke more hearts than they break 
heads at a Westminster election. 

Blimboe. The more reason to restrict her to the 
porter's lodge. 

Castleton. I grant you that — from the porter's 
point of view. 

Sylvester. And from mine also. 

Castleton. Ugliness may produce a virtue ; a 
soldier with no legs can't run away ! 

(Blimboe and Sylvester laugh.) 

But hang me, George, if it be one — or if it be, the 
world is nine-tenths virtuous already. 

Blimboe. There is no virtue, sir, where there is 
no temptation. 

Castleton. And where there is temptation 
there remains very little virtue. 



Act II] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 39 

(Castleton laughs. Sylvester laughs.) 
If a man desires to be righteous — ^wliy, the world 
is badly ordered for him 

(Blimboe protests.) 

But I wish you'd seen her, George. 

Blimboe. Surely you will not kill the young lord, 
Sir George ? He's to be married in a month to a 
most engaging young lady. 

Sylvester. Hum ! Then I come in the nick of 
time to save him. Death is to marriage as the coup 
de grace to slow torture. 

(Blimboe protests.) 

Castleton. But they say fanatics feel no j^ain. 
Sylvester, (filling glasses) Then I amend — 
better death than madness. 

(Blimboe protests. They drink.) 

Blimboe. The Holy Mart}T:s were not mad. 
Sylvester. They were leaving their wives be- 
hind them — 

(Blimboe protests.) 
and going to a place where in most cases they wouldn't 
meet them again, (laughs) 

Blimboe. {rising) Gentlemen, gentlemen ! Mar- 
riage is of divine foundation. 

Sylvester. Maybe, but when a building is com- 
plete the foundations are not visible, (laughs) 
(Points pipe playfully at Blimboe. Sylvester and 

Blimboe toast each other, touching glasses.) 



40 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act II. 

Castleton. {stands above his chair c.) She's 
tall, they say, and slender. George, I like 'em like 
willows. Her eye is blue. Her cheek not so red, but 
that you have good excuse for making it redder, her 
mouth not so small as to stint a man, not yet so large 
as to discourage him from seeking to cover it. Her 
ear 

Sylvester. In heaven's name who's the text 
for this rhapsody ? 

Castleton. It's only a part of what is reported 
of the lady whom you sent to your porter's lodge. I 
trust you asked leave of the porter's wife. 

Sylvester. The porter, thank heaven, is a 
bachelor. 

Castleton. George, I think I'll be your porter. 

(All laugh.) 

Give this fellow his conge and take me in his place. 
(comes R. c.) Well, fight you will and kiss you won't ! 
So it stands, does it ? 

Sylvester. Yes, I must be content to keep half 
my oath, (tafs hell) At least it is the better half. 

Castleton. Well, since I can't help you in one 
(takes his sword from chair r. c. and puts it on) I'd 
help you in the other, but Hassenden's of my com- 
pany and my friend. 

Sylvester, (rises) I know. Jack. I'll ask Giles 
March to act for me. 

Blimboe. (rising) But can there be no explana- 
tion, no apology ? 



Act TI] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 41 

(Sylvester futs hand on Blimboe's shoulder, places 
him hack in chair.) 

Sylvester. None — the affair has gone too far. 

Castleton. Swords, I suppose ? 

Sylvester. Without doubt. I was the challenged 
party. 

Castleton. Well, Heaven bring you both safe 
out of it. Good-night, George. 

Sylvester. Good-night. I'll find you at your 
lodgings to-morrow, we don't meet till the next day. 
(follows Castleton c, shakes hands) Because Has- 
senden is on guard to-night. 
[Enter Mills r. 2 e. Gets Castleton' s cloak off 

chair R.) 
And his eye might be out. 

Castleton. Then you've full leisure for the 
arrangements. But come up to-night, George. What 
is there to detain you here ? 

Sylvester, (leaning against table) Nothing. 
Yet I'll stay. I'm not dressed, and I'm not in the 
mood for company. 

Castleton. (r. c. Mills assists him ivith cloak) 
As you like. But if you change your mind, there's 
a bed at my lodgings, and I'll leave word where I am 
if I go out. (going l. to exit) Good-night to you, Mr. 
Bhmboe. 

Blimboe. (rising and bowing) Sir, your obedient 
servant- 

Castleton. (l. at door, pausing) I wish you'd 
let her in, George. On my life I long to see her ! 



42 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act II. 

Sylvester, (c.) Ah, I don't — Till to-morrow 
then! 

Castleton. I still hope for to-night. 

[He goes off l. 2 e., Mills follows Castleton off.) 
(Sylvester pours out glass of wine.) 

Blimboe. (above table l. c.) I also wish that 
you had seen her, if she be all Mr. Castleton says. 

Sylvester, (sits r. of table) You wish it ? 

Blimboe. Yes, whether for sin or for sorrow, you 
have grieved long enough, (comes down to Syl- 
vester) 

Sylvester, (giving him his l. hand) You're a 
good friend. But I can't bring myself to think of a 
woman. 

Blimboe. You'd have said the same of a sword 
last night. 

Sylvester. Aye, I'm a fool, if that helps the 
matter. 

Blimboe. (at head of table) Well, it will be of 
little use if you kill her brother ; still when we meet 
again, I'll tell you what she is in truth like. 

Sylvester. You'll tell me ? Shall you see her 
then? 

Blimboe. She is of my parish, thanks to you. 
And it is my duty to see her. I waited on her this 
afternoon, but saw only the lady who is to marry my 
lord, and her aunt. Lady Ursula was out. 

Sylvester. Oh, yes. Lady Ursula was out. I 
know that well enough. 



Act II] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 43 

Blimboe. So I go to-night to play a game of 
Cassino and make acquaintance with her. 

Sylvester. Not a word of this matter, in case 
Hassenden has not mentioned it. 

Blimboe. You may trust me in that. 

Sylvester. But I hoped you would bear me 
company through the evening. What shall I do to 
pass my time ? Must I sit and think of this wonderful 
lady? 

Blimboe. Or of the duel you are to fight ? 

Sylvester, (rises, puts pipe on table) Plague 
take it, no! {goesn.c.) I'll go to town and find Jack. 
That'll be better than my thoughts. Good-night, 
old friend. 

{They shake hands above table.) 
I wish most heartily this had not happened. 
(Blimboe about to speak.) 

No, it's too late. 

Blimboe. But, Sir George — good-night. 

(Blimboe goes off -l. 1 e.) 

(Sylvester following him to door, then sits moodily 
l. of table. A pause.) 

Sylvester. Eyes blue — her cheek not so red — 
what was that nonsense of Jack Castleton's ? Well, 
I hope the boy can use his blade a little ; on my life 
I believe I shouldn't care if he used it better than 1 
use mine, {sighs and yawns) 



44 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act II. 

(Enter Mills l. 2 e.) 

Mills, (coming doivn l.) The gardener you 
wished to see is in waiting, Sir George. 

Sylvester. Let him come in, then. 

Mills. He's been at work in the garden and his 
feet (loohs at carpet) 

Sylvester, (laughing) Oh, you're careful for 
the carpets ! (rises) Well, I'll see him in the kit- 
chen, (goes R. and pauses) I may go to town to- 
night. Be prepared and set out the black suit. And 
let the chaise be ready and a horse stood in his harness. 

Mills. Yes, Sir George. 

(Exit Mills l.) 

(Sylvester goes off. A short pause.) 

(Re-enter Mills l., ushering in Ursula. She tvears 
the ivhite and blue suit, a large hat, and. a long cloak 
folded round her. She looks round hastihj and 
on seeing nobody sighs as though in relief and comes 
down l. timidly.) 

Mills, (stands by door, allowing Ursula to pass) 
I will inform Sir George of your presence, sir. (crosses 
above table to R. c.) What name, sir ? 

Ursula, (below table l.) Mr. Walter Barrington. 

(Mills goes toivards r.) 

You may add that I come on Lord Hassenden's 
business. 
Mills, (r. c.) Yes, sir. Will you be seated ?. 



Act II] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 45 

{moves chair a little from R. to c. or indicates chair) 
May I remove your cloak, sir ? (a step toivards her) 
Ursula, {starting) Remove my cloak ? No — 
no, it's — I'm cold. Pray go at once. 

(Mills goes off r. 2 e.) 

(Ursula stands still till he^s gone, and then draws a 
breath.) 

Well, here I am, in the house, {crosses front of table up 
R., then dances across behind table to l.) In very truth 
in the house ! And, but for Frank's sake, I'd most 
heartily wish myself anywhere else in the world — 
even where I ought to be, at home with the parson — 
that must have been he whom I passed on the road 
{smiling, coming down l. of table) But I'm in. I've 
won the stockings from Dorothy. Oh, don't let me 
think of {opens cloak) stockings, or I'm lost — here 
comes somebody, {down l.) 
{Hastily folds cloak again as Sylvester enters r.) 

{Both bow low.) 

Sylvester, {comes l. c.) I am Sir George Syl- 
vester, sir, at your service. 

Ursula, (l. below table) I — I come, sir 

Sylvester. On behalf of Lord Hassenden, if I 
understand your message rightly ? Indeed, sir, I 
regret that you have been put to this trouble, but — 
ah— I live so much alone that I forget all courtesies. 
Pray be seated, sir. 



46 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act II. 

Ursula, (l.) I thank you, sir. (moves toivards 
chair R. of table.) 

Sylvester, {crosses towards her) And allow me to 
assist you to remove your clock. 

Ursula, (crosses to r.) No, no. I am not warm. 
Indeed, I am 

Sylvester. I insist, indeed I must insist, (goes 
to her and takes off cloak, crosses to Jj. c, flinging it on 
a chair above table) Now pray be seated, and let me 
offer you a glass of wine. 

Ursula, (sits r. nervously tucking her legs under 
chair) I thank you again, but no wine, sir. 

Sylvester, (coming to r. of table) I was about 
to express my regret that you had put yourself to 
the pains of this visit. I understood that the — er — 
affair was to be carried through in town — such things 
make so much less talk in town — and that the 
arrangements would (sits R. of table) be made there. 
My friend, Mr. March, who acts for me is there al- 
ready. If it is not inconvenient to you, Mr. Barring- 
ton — by the way you are Lord Hassenden's brother, 
I presume ? (crosses his leg) 

Ursula, (imitating Sylvester, crosses her leg) 
Yes, his younger brother. 

Sylvester. So I suppose, sir ; from your style, 
no less (looking at her) than your appearance. I 
heard you were in France, (uncrosses legs) 

Ursula, (imitating him) I have returned only 
this evening, and I go back there immediately. 
Sylvester. Permit me to say, if I do not commit 



Act II] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 47 

a breach of etiquette, how deeply I regret that such 
business as this should await you on your arrival. 
However, such discussion as is necessary — none I 
fear can be fruitful — you will prefer to conduct with 
my friend. 

Ursula. No, I — I want to talk to you. 

Sylvester. Forgive me, but had we not best be 
regular ? Mr. March acts on my behalf, you act on 
your brother's, {crosses Ms other leg) 

Ursula, (imitates him) No, sir. You are mis- 
taken. I act on my own behalf, (crosses legs) 

Sylvester. I beg your pardon ? I don't catch 
your meaning. I have, alas, much experience, and 
in that your age does not enable you to rival me. 
Your visit, sir, is not regular, if you act for your 
brother. If you come on business of your own, your 
visit, however great (uncrosses leg) 

(Ursula imitates.) 

an honour to me, is ill-timed, (rises, crosses to door L.) 
Is your chaise in waiting ? 

Ursula, (rising) Sir George ! 

Sylvester, (turns to her) Sir ! 

Ursula, (r. c.) Is what they tell of you true ? 
(to him) 

Sylvester. What they tell of a man is seldom 
true — except when it's evil. 

Ursula. That when you met the friend whom 
you killed 

Sylvester. It was by the unluckiest chance. 



48 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IL 

Ursula, (r. c. stopping him) He had sent to 
you a gentleman, known to you both, charged to effect 
a reconciliation — and that you would not speak with 
the gentleman. 

Sylvester, (l. of table l.) Yes, it is true, {drops 
into chair) 

{A pause.) 

Ursula. My chaise is waiting, sir. Shall I go 
to it? 

Sylvester, (coldly) Sit down and state your 
business — briefly, if I may beg that favour. If your 
brother can use his sword as well as you can your 
tongue, he needs no intercession. 

Ursula, (impulsively) Ah, forgive me, I (taking 
a step to c.) (recollecting herself) — I should say that I 
am not here to intercede for my brother. 

(Sylvester looks up.) 
(sits R. of table) Yet I am here to intercede. 

Sylvester. My quarrel is with your brother — 
with nobody else. 

Ursula. I think, sir, you don't know — my sister ? 

Sylvester, (still sitting) As you must be aware. 
I have no acquaintance with Lady Ursula Barrington. 

Ursula. And you desire none ? 

Sylvester. I must plead guilty to your charge. 
The present situation proves it against me. 

Ursula, (with asperity) Oh, no need for an 
apology. I assure you she is fully as unwilling to 
meet jou. 



Act TI] THE ADVENTUEE OF LADY ITRSULA. 49 

Sylvester. I believe it absolutely. Illness 
drove lier to my inhospitable door. And now she 
takes her brother's part ? Or is it her own grievance ? 
I may say to you, sir, what your brother's hasty 
violence forbade and must forbid me to say to him. 
[turns quickly, rises, goes up l., looks at Ursula 
then crosses doivn r.) My refusal to admit your sister 
was not personal to her, the same message would have 
come to any lady. My desires are well known. Why 
am I not free to indulge them ? You will say 
your sister was faint ? [shrugging his shoulders) 
Well, I offered 

Ursula. No, sir, I shall say no such thing. My 
sister was not faint. 

Sylvester, (r. starting and looking at her) Not 
faint ? 

Ursula. How can I tell you ? 

Sylvester, (r. c.) What can you have to tell 
me? 

Ursula, [hat in hand) It grieves me as deeply 
to speak to her discredit as to my own. 

Sylvester. I understand your feelings, sir. 

Ursula. Do you indeed ? Well, here it is. 
You and my brother are common victims of one — of 
one Do you know anything of women ? 

Sylvester, [smiling) 1 have passed my years like 
a fool — or a monk — if I don't know more than you. 

Ursula. Have you read the story of Bluebeard ? 

Sylvester. A wise man, but given to repeating 
hopeless experiments. 



50 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IT. 

Ursula. Yet you imitated him. You set up liis 
secret room anew. 

Sylvester, (l. c. down stage) I did not give the 
key to any lady. 

Ursula, (rises, crosses to r. c.) No, you im- 
proved on the model ; you dared any lady to find the 
key. 

Sylvester, (turns on her) Your sister tried ? 

Ursula, (turns away c. abashed) Yes, I am here 
to confess it for her. 

Sylvester. Her faintness ? 

Ursula. A trick to gain admission. 

Sylvester, (smiling, crosses to l. c. front of table) 
It seems, then, that she did desire my acquaintance. 

Ursula, (takes stage r.) Oh, a whim — the merest 
whim. And, indeed, I wonder at it as much as you 
do! 

(A pause. Sylvester looks at her intensely.) 

Sylvester, (goes up l. of table by chair) Well, 
she tried — but failed — so she need not lose her head. 

Ursula. No, she need only break her heart. 

Sylvester. For not seeing me ? I protest that 
my attractions don't warrant, (takes S7:uff) 

Ursula, (c.) No — for causing her brother's 
death. Your skill, sir, is well known. 

Sylvester. Skill is a bad possession if it requires 
a man to sit down under insults, (sits l. of table) 

Ursula, (c) Yes, but your true quarrel is with 
my sister. Come, had she been in very truth faint, 



Act II] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 51 

was not your message discourteous, and my brother's 
anger just ? {crosses to R. of chair R., hacks from him 
to chair R.) 

Sylvester. You plead well, but then you confess 
that she was not faint. 

Ursula. Aye, but my brother believed her to be. 
Your quarrel, I say, is with her. 

Sylvester. Hum — so far as she made a fool of 
him as well as of me. 

Ursula, (r. of chair r.) Of you ? No, she — 
she did not come near enough. Well — if you fight 
with ladies, you have a good quarrel ; but must you 
kill her brother to punish her ? 

Sylvester. Lord Hassenden has not pleaded his 
sister's trick as excuse. 

Ursula, (c.) I so plead it now. 

Sylvester. By whose desire — by his ? 

Ursula. Lord save us, no — by mine — by hers. 

Sylvester, {with impatient laugh) Well, we've 
both been fooled — he and I — and my lady laughs at 
us ! 

Ursula. Laughs — no, she weeps {turns, a step r.) 
or would weep if she were alone. 

Sylvester. Ah, my good friend Bhmboe's with 
her. 

Ursula. I know some one is with her. 

Sylvester. And wearies her ? 

Ursula. Oh, not more than she's able to endure. 

Sylvester. He promised to bring me an account 
of her — thouojh in truth I didn't ask it. 



52 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IL 

Ursula, (r. c.) By some she is thought — good- 
looking. 

Sylvester. Is she not ? You look often on her face. 

Ursula, (r. c.) I see it less than most of her 
intimates. 

Sylvester, (rises, down to l.) She might well 
be handsome. Yes, your sister might well be beauti- 
ful — as, indeed, I hear she is — for you, sir, have a 
handsome face, a good shape and (looking down) a 
pretty leg ! 

Ursula, (drawing hacJc her leg hastily, turns, 
confused, crosses up behind chair R. c.) You wouldn't 
surely reason from mine to my sister's ? 

Sylvester, (leaning on table l. facing audience) 
According to the Philosophers, where observation is 
impossible, we must use inference. 

Ursula. Sir, I protest, (comes front of chair) 

Sylvester, (laughing, crosses to r. c.) On my 
life, you're blushing ! 

Ursula. (fa7is herself with hat) I'm not blush- 
ing ; the — the room is warm. 

Sylvester. Yet you would have kept your cloak. 

Ursula. I — I should have been no hotter in it. 
Come, we are talking of my sister, not of my leg. 

Sylvester, (l. of chair r. standing above her, lean- 
ing on chair) Well, have you by chance a likeness of 
her ? I should be very willing to see the favour 
of my petitioner's face. 

Ursula. Oh yes, I have a very speaking likeness 
of her. 



Act IT] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 5:i 

Sylvester. Pray give it me. {right to her) 

Ursula, {moves away down to stage r.) Give it 
you ? It's early days indeed for that. And would 
you keep it ? 

Sylvester, {laughing) Against all comers, if 
once I had it for my own. But I meant only — show 
it me. {comes down a little) 

Ursula, {crosses to l. c. facing audience) By ill 
luck I have left it behind. It's in — -in my wardrobe 
with some other trifles that I sometimes wear. 

Sylvester. Love tokens ? You're young, sir, 
to wear such trifles. 

Ursula. I might call you young to have for- 
sworn them, {leans on end of table) But I'll 
describe her to you — as I saw her last, standing before 
her mirror. 

(Sylvester sits r. c.) 

Sylvester. Is she often in that position. 

Ursula. So I see her most often. 

Sylvester. She has vanity in her then ? 

Ursula. You shall hear her excuse. Her eyes 
are 

Sylvester. I know — blue. 

Ursula, {looks at Sylvester) Hum, you know ? 
Her colour 

Sylvester. Oh, moderate. Neither high nor 
yet pallid. Well enough, I daresay. 

Ursula, {hat in hand) Her mouth— — 

Sylvester. Of middle size, neither so small as 
to be insignificant, nor so large as to be outrageous. 



54 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IL 

Ursula, (pouting) Your informant, sir, is accurate 
in his information, if cold in his description. Pray 
who is he ? 

Sylvester. No matter, {rises from chair n.) 
The information is his ; the coldness, I fear, mine. 
He raved as far as beyond reason, as (smiling) doubt- 
less your sister is beyond comparison. 

Ursula. Of that I cannot tell, (replaces hat on 
table) I love her too well to speak of her impar- 
tially, (goes round table up to fireplace l.) 

Sylvester, (crosses to l. c. by chair r. of table) 
Is she so virtuous ? 

Ursula, (up by fireplace) Such duties as she 
cannot avoid she does. 

Sylvester, (picks up pipe from table) So 
gentle ? 

Ursula. A temper like a summer breeze, rising 
and falling. 

Sylvester, (sits r. of table, lights pipe) Hum. 
So patient ? 

Ursula, (crosses to above table l., leans on back of 
chair) Of every man except a fool, and of him when 
no other's by. 

Sylvester, (r. of table) So decorous ? 

Ursula. You would have known that if you had 
not turned her from your door. 

Sylvester. So loving ? 

Ursula. Loving ? Oh, as far as that, I can't 
tell, (sits on chair) 

Sylvester. But you're her brother. 



Act II] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 55 

Ursula. True, true, she loves me well, very well. 
Of other love she knows nothing yet. 

Sylvester. She will soon, no doubt. 

Ursula, (eagerly) Do you think she will ? ijioohs 
intently in his face, then sits at head of table) 

Sylvester. If she's so handsome, and as little 
coy as would seem to be the case 

Ursula. As little coy as ! In faith, she's mon- 
strously coy. 

Sylvester. Yes, sometimes she faints for very 
coyness, eh ? {holds up wine-glass) Come, you must 
cure her. Such coyness does not fit a woman of 
fashion. On my soul, they would take care to 
faint, not outside your door, but well within it ! 

(Ursula, rising, crossing to r. c.) 



Ursula. Ah, I see that you won't forgive her. 

Sylvester. Yes, I will. 

Ursula. You will — ah, thank Heaven. 

Sylvester, [leans on table facing her) On a con- 
dition. 

Ursula. Not that Frank — that Hassenden must 
make you an apology ? I fear he 

Sylvester, (pipe in hand) No. On condition 
that — you give me the likeness which is in your ward- 
robe. 

Ursula. You ask before seeing it ? And shouldn't 
you ask it of Ursula herself ? 



66 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act II. 

Sylvester. If I like it when I see it, I will ask 
it of her. 

Ursula, (by chair r. c.) A bargain — a bargain ! 
But I don't know whether she will give it you. 

Sylvester, {moves to front of table, picks up her 
hat) She fainted only for a sight of me. 

Ursula, {crosses around chair r. c, leans on back 
of chair) She might faint less after a sight of you. 
Seeing is believing, but dreaming oft is 

Sylvester, {leaning on table facing audience) 
Loving, aye — and loving dreaming ! But I shall 
like her well if she has your merry wit, and — shall I 
say — twice your looks, {puts hat and pipe down on 
table.) 

Ursula. Twice my looks ! Well, perhaps some 
day you shall see the portrait. So she is forgiven ? 
{to c. holding out her hand) 

Sylvester, {coming c. holding out his hand) 
Most heartily ! 

Ursula, (c. taking his hand) And her brother 
for her sake ? 

Sylvester. Oh, the lesser sinner with the greater ! 
{they shake hands) 

(He looks at her hand intently, she snatches her 
hand away and arranges cravat.) 

Ursula. And am I forgiven ? 
Sylvester, {up l. c.) Why, where's your 
offence ? 

Ursula. In wearying you so long. 



Act II] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 57 

Sylvester, (crosses towards her) You are for- 
given for your wit and — well, for tliat pretty leg of 
yours. 

(Ursula annoyed.) 
Blushing again ! Pray imitate that sort of coyness 
which is your sister's. 

Ursula. I'm nearer to it than you think, and 
than my appearance proves. 

Sylvester, {standing above her) Pray where is 
your sister ? We are friends now ? 

Ursula, (turns, facing him — extends her hand) 
With all my heart and all my gratitude. 

Sylvester. Then take me to her. 

Ursula. Take you to her ? 

Sylvester. Yes — at Lord Hassenden's. We 
shall find Blimboe there and you and he shall witness 
my apology. 

Ursula. I — I can't take you to her. She — she's 
(turns her back to him) 

Sylvester, (r. c. slap'ping her on the shoulder. 
She falls forward a step) Come — come — she wasn't 
unwilling to see me before, (crosses up n.) 

Ursula, (confused, crosses to c, then up to l. c. 
by table) No — she's — she's not unwilling to see 
you, no, in no way, sir. But she's — she's — oh, she's 
gone to town with my brother, (takes her cloak) 

Sylvester, (crosses to r. behind chair) To town 
with ? 

Ursula, (l. of table) Yes, and I — I must follow 
her at once. Indeed I have stayed too long already. 



58 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IL 

Sylvester, (crosses to l. c.) For your con- 
venience, perhaps, not for my pleasure. As for 

Lady Ursula (catches hold of her hat as she 'picks 

it up — retains her by hat) 

(Enter Mills r.) 

Mills, (r. at door) Do you wish the chaise to 
wait any longer, Sir George ? Are you going to 
town ? 

Sylvester. Going to town ? Yes, I'm going 
to town. But your chaise is here, Mr. Barrington. 

Ursula, (down l. puzzled) Yes ! 

Sylvester. And you go to town? 

(Ursula hesitates.) 
You said as much this instant. 

Ursula. Oh yes, I — I'm going to town. 

Sylvester, (catching her arm) By heaven, we'll 
go together ! (takes her hands, and pulls her l. c.) 
Together we'll seek your brother, and end this silly 
quarrel. Thank God it's done. I always hated it. 
And then — why, then we'll beg to see your sister — 
she shall not deny it or I will fall into a most damnable 
faint — and we'll obtain leave to do as we will with 
that likeness of hers in your wardrobe. Come, 
what say you ? 

(Ursula hesitates — he holds her.) 
Oh, we're friends now — you can't refuse, (to Mills) 
Put my chaise back. Mills — I ride with Mr. Barring- 
ton. 

(Ursula sinks into her chair l. c.) 



Act IT] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 50 

Why, are you fainting now ? (Imighs, fans her 
ivitli hat) There's no need, you're in the house 
already ! 

(Mills crosses to l. a7id stands l.) 

Ursula. Thank you — I — I'm very well. For a 

moment I felt 

Sylvester. Faint, eh ? 

(Ursula takes her hat and replaces in on table) 

Gad, Mr. Barrington, it's in the family ! Are you 
well enough to drive with me ? If not, pray rest 
here to-night. Indeed, I shall be honoured, {crosses 
uj) behind table r. c.) 

(Ursula jumps up.) 
I'll postpone my journey and keep you company. 

Ursula. No — no — I 

Sylvester. Pray let me bid them prepare a 
room. (l. of her) 

Ursula. No, no, not for the world ! Indeed, 
sir 

Sylvester. Call me Sylvester, {about to slap 
her on bach again, she dodges down to r.) 

Ursula, (r. c.) Indeed, Sylvester — with all 
thanks to you, Sylvester, I would rather go to town 
with you, Sylvester, than stay here with you, Syl- 
vester. 

Sylvester, (c.) You don't love my house so 
much as your sister does ! {digs her in ribs) Well, 
I forgive you — no doubt you have business. 
(Mills pours out wine.) 



60 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act II. 

(Sylvester standing above table, Ursula sits r. of 

table.) 
Drink a glass of wine wliile you wait, for I must beg 
a quarter of an hour in which to change my dress. 
{crosses to l. above table — to Mills) Mr. Barrington's 
chaise in twenty minutes. 

Mills, (crosses to r.) Yes, Sir George. 
(Mills goes off r. 2 e.) 

Sylvester, (to Ursula who is sitting by table 
in bewilderment) I'll lose no time, (coming down l. 
of table, crosses to c.) On my soul, Mr. Barrington, 
I'm rejoiced that the affair ends so happily — (going 

R.) I wouldn't have killed your brother for 

(pauses and laughs) Why— even for the sake of the 
likeness in the wardrobe. I'll be with you again 
directly, (slaps her on shoulder.) 

(Sylvester goes off r.) 
(A pause. Ursula sits still a moment.) 

Ursula, (springing up) Ends happily ! Heaven 
help me, it ends neither happily nor at all ! I must 
go to London with him, must I ? Seek my brother 
with him, find my brother with him ? Seek my 
sister with him, find my sister with him ? Or if I 
make my escape and go home — why he'll get first to 
Frank and tell Frank — oh — and tell Frank that 
Walter has a pretty leg ! What shall I do ? Another 
time every man in the world shall kill every other 
before on their account I put on — what I wear now. 
Yet I would not have Frank hurt — (smiles) no, nor 



Act II] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 61 

Sir George — (goes up R., looks off) nor Sir George ! 
What was that he said ? A handsome face — a good 
shape — a pretty — oh, he'll be back, I won't wait for 
him. I'll go now to London to Frank — I must tell 
Frank myself. Sir George's chaise is put back, I 
shall have ten minutes start, {moves above table to 
down L. stealthily to table, takes up hat and turning) 
I must get first to Frank ! Quilton ! Quilton ! 
(reaches door l.) 

(At that moment Blimboe enters — they come into 
collision.) 

Blimboe. (l. beloiv table) Sir — I — I beg your 
pardon. 

Ursula, (above door l. 2 e.) (hastily) Oh, 
the blame is mine, (wraps cloak half way over her 
face) Your servant, sir, your servant. 

(Ursula bows and goes off hastily) 
(Blimboe holds picture l. 2 e. He looks after her a 
moment off.) 
Blimboe. (l.) Who's that, I wonder. Sir George 
has had a visitor, one not over eager to stay long, 
it seems ! He looked a pretty fellow, though. And 
where is Sir George ? 

(Enter Mills r. 2 e. carrying Sylvester's cloak and 
hat) 

Who was that gentleman. Mills ? 

Mills, (r.) The gentleman, sir ? (looks round) 
Why^ where in the devil's name is he ? 



62 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act II. 

Blimboe. (l. c.) If you leave the devil alone, 
perhaps he'll leave you alone. The gentleman ran 
out as I came in — he was in haste as it appeared. 

Mills. Kan out ? 

Blimboe. At his top speed. 

(Mills runs up to l. c, looks out of window.) 

Who was he ? Why, where are you running to ? 

Mills, (pausing) He was to go to London with 
Sir George, {crossing down to l. 2 e.) 

Blimboe. If he goes as fast all the way, Sir 
George must not linger. Mills ! Mills ! (Mills 
rims off L.) 

[Enter Sylvester r. 2 in hlach suit. He looks 
round in surprise.) 

Sylvester, (r., comes c.) You back, Blimboe ! 
You're early. But where's Mr. Barrington ? 

Blimboe. Mr. Barrington ? 

Sylvester. Yes — yes, Walter Barrington. He 
was to carry me to London in his chaise. 

Blimboe. (l. c.) Walter Barrington? Why, 
he's 

Sylvester, [impatiently c.) Yes, man, Walter 
Barrington — Hassenden's brother — and — and Lady 

Ursula's. The quarrel's made up I'll tell 

you about that another time — it's a pretty story. 
But where is the boy ? Oh, no doubt Mills has 
taken him to a dressing-room to put a touch to his 
hair 

Blimboe. No, Sir George, no ! Mills hasn't = 



Act II] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 63 

(Enter Mills l. still carrying cloak and hat, put on 
chair above table.) 

Sylvester. Well, Mills, where's Mr. Barrington ? 
Is he ready ? 

Mills, (putting down cloak and hat above table) 
He's gone. Sir George. 

Sylvester, (crosses to l. c.) Gone ! Gone ! 
Where to ? How — when — why ? 

(Blimboe crosses to r.) 

Mills. To town as I judge, Sir George, by the 
turn they took in his chaise. Sir George, at a gallop, 
Sir George, but why, God knows. Sir George ! 

Sylvester, (by table l.) Did he leave no explana- 
tion ? 

Mills. No, Sir George. 

Sylvester. No message ? 

Mills. No, Sir George. 

Sylvester. No apology ? 

Mills. No, Sir George. 

Sylvester, (sinks into chair r. of table l.) No 
excuse ? 

Mills. No, Sir George. Can I do anything, Sir 
George ? 

Sylvester Yes — go — go to the devil after Mr. 
Barrington. 

Mills, (alarmed) Yes, Sir George. 

(Mills goes off l. 2 e.) 
Blimboe. (r. by chair) My dear friend, what's 
the meaning of this ? Who is this Mr. Walter 



64 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IL 

Sylvester, (jumping up, crosses down r.) Why, 
he's the impudent brother of an impudent sister, 
and I'll be revenged on both of them. 

(Blimboe sits R.) 

{ivalks up stage to Blimboe) You should have 
heard him. So pretty in his pleading, so anxious 
for a reconciliation, so friendly, so cordial in his 
sentiments. We were to go to town together. 
{crosses to door l., then around table to n., then to c. 
during speech) To meet Lady Ursula — oh, a plague 
on all the family together. And now he leaves 
me in the lurch, without a word, without an excuse ! 
I've done with his brother, but I'll be revenged on 
him ! By my soul, I won't be made a fool of by all 
the family in turn ! 

Blimboe. Stop — stop! (rises, follows Sir Geohgb 
to L. then to r.) My dear Sir George, by talking so 
fast you exhaust yourself without informing me. 
You say this gentleman was Mr. Walter Barrington ? 
{stands r.) 

Sylvester, {impatiently) Yes, yes, yes ! {flings 
himself into chair r. of table) 

Blimboe. No, no, no ! Mr. Walter Barrington 
is still abroad, {crosses to L.) 

Sylvester, {sitting r. of table) No, no ; he 
arrived home to-day — and came over from Lord 
Hassenden's to see me. 

Blimboe. {sits l. of table) Hum ! That's nol 
what is thought at Lord Hassenden's. They believe 



Act II] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 05 

him to be still in France. Mrs. Fenton told me so 
herself. 

Sylvester. What — still in France ? Does Lady 
Ursula — but I forgot — you haven't seen Lady Ursula. 

Blimboe. {rises to Sylvester) No — she was 

{sits again crushed) 

Sylvester. I know — she was gone to London 
with Lord Hassenden ? 

Blimboe. To London, no, no ! my dear friend, 
you're mistaken, indeed you are. Lady Ursula has 
not gone to London with her brother, but gone to 
bed with a headache. 

{They look at each other.) 

Sylvester. What ? What's that you say ? 

Blimboe. I only say what Miss Fenton and her 
aunt both told me, as an excuse for the lady's 
absence. 

Sylvester. Well, I've been made a fool of again, 
and by a boy without a hair on his chin. Ah, if you 
want a duel, you shall have it now, friend Blimboe 
— aye, though he's Lady Ursula's brother. 

Blimboe. Though he's ? 

Sylvester. Yes — yes. I have no more anger 
against her. He's my game now. 

Blimboe. But he's in France. 

Sylvester. Nonsense, man ! Do the ladies 
always know where the men of the house are ? 

Blimboe. It seems that here they don't know- 
even where the ladies of the house are. For certainly 



66 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act II. 

Lady Ursula cannot be both in bed with a headache, 
and gone to London with her brother. 

{Pause. They rise, look at each other, then sit — looh 
at each other again.) 

Sylvester. It's mysterious ! Pray, Blimboe, 
what do you think ? 

Blimboe. Oh, I know nothing of the ways of 
women. 

Sylvester. Hum ! I thought I knew every- 
thing. (Rises to c.) Oh, but it can't be ! It's 
absurd ! 

Blimboe. (jumping up) What's absurd ? (follows 
him) 

Sylvester, (goes r.) By gad he blushed — he 
blushed when 

Blimboe. When — what ? 

(Enter Mills l. He comes to l. c. holding small lace 
handkerchief in his hand, turns to Blimboe.) 

Mills. Mr. Blimboe, sir, is this your handker- 
chief ? (holds it uf) 

Blimboe. My handkerchief ? That — no ! (takes 
from pocket a very large bandanna and holds it up) 
This is my handkerchief. 

Mills, (to Sylvester) Is it yours, Sir George ? 

Sylvester. No ! (takes out large hut fine hand- 
kerchief, and holds it up) Here is my hand- 
kerchief ! 



Act II] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 67 

Mills, (l. taking out his handkerchief) And 
certainly it is not mine, Sir George. 

Blimboe. (l. c. takes handkerchief from Mills — 
examining it) It looks like — like what — what I 
conceive might be — a — a lady's handkerchief ! 

Sylvester, (c.) Let's see ! [snatches and 
examines it, crosses to l. c.) 

(Blimboe crosses behind him to c.) 

Yes, a lady's. Perhaps one of the trifles in his 
wardrobe which that puppy sometimes wears ! 

Blimboe. (c. looking over his shoulder pointing) 
Ah ! Isn't that a mark on the corner ? 

Sylvester. What — where ? Yes, it's a mark. 
The Barrington crest ! 

Blimboe. And no name ? 

Sylvester, (looking again, then crushing hand- 
kerchief in his hand and hesitating) No — no ! No 
name. 

(Blimboe and Mills looking at him.) 

Good-night, Blimboe, good-night ; Mills — my chaise 
at once ! 

{Exit Mills l. 2 e.) 

(Sylvester goes up l. of table, puts on hat and takes 

cloak, comes down c.) 

Blimboe. (r. c.) You'll tell me ? 

Sylvester, (coming down r. of table) What ? 
(looks again covertly at handkerchief) 



68 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IL 

Blimboe. (r. also tries to see handkerchief) If 
you find out anything. 
Sylvester, {goes down stage r. c.) Yes, yes ! 

(Blimboe goes l. c, gets candlestick, comes hack, tries 
to see handkerchief.) 

Blimboe. Good-night. 
(Sylvester follows him to exit — crosses to r.) 
(Blimboe exits off r. 2 e.) 

Sylvester, {crosses to l. of table) The Barrington 
crest, and by heaven — Ursula ! Does he carry his 
sister's handkerchief ? Mills, the chaise, the chaise ! 
What else is there in that wardrobe ? Mills, I say 
—Mills ! 

{Enter Mills l. 2 e.) 

Mills. The chaise. Sir George ? Shall I take 
charge of the handkerchief ? {about to take 
handkerchief) 

Sylvester, (l.) No, no ! I'll keep the hand- 
kerchief. The chaise, deuce take you, sir ! The 
chaise ! 

(Mills exits l. 2 e.) 

(Sylvester goes l., stops, turns, holds out handker- 
chief and laughs.) 

Another duel then ! And this time — I choose 
the weapons, Lady Ursula ! 

{Exit Sylvester l. 2 e.) 

QUICK CURTAIN. 



ACT III. 

Scene. — LordHassenden's W^/w^sm London, near 
St. James'' Palace. A door uf r. l. Centre, a large 
round table set with dessert and decanters. 

Time. — 10 ]).7n. 

{Discovered Hassenden, sits at head, on his r. 
Dent l., Castleton l., above Ward, Clifford c. 
Devereux beloiv table and Ward doivn l. romid 
the table. They are drinking. Hassenden in full 
uniform. Dent in private dress, the rest in undress 
or mess uniform. As curtain rises Hassenden 
gets up.) 

Devereux. What, leaving us, Hassenden ? 
Hassenden. (at head of table) Pray, gentlemen, 

don't disturb yourselves. The evening is young, 

and although duty calls me away, I should grieve to 

spoil your entertainment. 

(Dent half rises.) 
No, I insist, (presses him back into his seat) 

Dent, (up r. of table) But how long is your 
guard ? 

Hassenden. Till twelve o'clock. 

Ward, (down l. of table) By gad, we'll wait for 
you. Won't we, Castleton ? 

69 



70 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

Castleton. (up L. of table) With all my heart 
— if his cellar holds out against our attack. 

Clifford, (c. sitting) We'll make a breach in 
its walls ! 

Hassenden. No, no, you mustn't wait — I shan't 
be returning. I have ordered my horse to be ready 
for me at the door of the guard -room, and I shall 
ride direct to Edgware. 

Devereux. (below table h. sittimj) To Edgware ? 

Clifford. To-night ? 

Hassenden. Without disrespect to you, friends, 
I have reasons for wishing to return home at once. 

Devereux. The usual reason, Hassenden ? 

Dent. We can guess it — a lady, eh ? 
(They laugh.) 

Hassenden. Yes, a lady 

(All laugh.) 
The lady whom I hope soon to present to you as 
Lady Hassenden. 

(All rise and bow.) 

Clifford. Oh, your pardon, your pardon ! 

Hassenden. She is our guest now. 
(All reseat themselves.) 

Dent. You're well excused then, and we mustn't 
press you to rejoin us. 

Hassenden. And, as you know, Castleton, I have 
a special reason for wishing to see her as soon as 
possible to-morrow, (goes R. to fetch his hat which 
lies on a small table R. c.) 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 71 

(Ward rises, takes candle from large table, places it 
on side table l., gets bottle.) 
Castleton. I know, Frank, I know, {rises and 
follows him to r. c, leavingihe rest drinking and talking.) 

(Ward draws cork, sitting l. of table.) 
Come now, Frank, entrust this matter to me. I 
am your friend, and his. He comes to my lodgings 
to-morrow morning, perhaps even to-night. Let 
me say something to him in your name. Beheve 
me, he will be eager for a reconciliation ; his reputa- 
tion makes it easy for him to meet you half way. 

Hassenden. Yes, but impossible for me to travel 
my half of the road ; I'm obHged to you. Jack, sin- 
cerely obliged, but I must pay my debts — and my 
sister's. Nothing can be done — the affair must go 
on. (looks at watch, then hastily) My hour's past. 
Good night. Jack, {shakes his hand, goes uj) R.) 
Good- night, friends, good-night. 

All. {at the table) Good-night, good night. 
(Hassenden goes off r.) 

(Castleton to table, sits at head of table and takes 
ivine.) 

Dent. Our host seems anxious — at least not in 
his usual spirits. 

Castleton. He has a troublesome affair on 
hand. 

Devereux. {rises, back a step down l.) An 
affair ? Of this sort ? {imitating fencing with Dent 
— using stems of pipes) 



72 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

Castleton. I'll tell you nothing. I still hope 
that it may be arranged. 

Ward, {rises, reaches for tobacco, fills pipe) At 
least, Jack, let's have no Joicey and McArthur over 
here. It's well enough for the Irish, but in faith, 
in a Christian country, it's nothing but sheer murder. 
(lights pipe and sits) 

Dent. Murder ! No, no, Ward. It's a pretty 
taking of an even chance — a very gentlemanly throw 
with fortune. And it has a fine excitement in it. 

Devereux. {rises, goes to l. below table) It kills 
one man for certain — that's praise enough in Dent's 
eyes, {fills pipe, stands L.) 

Dent. If you fight across the table, and load 
both pistols, why I grant you it's murder, and that 
in an indiscriminate fashion. But with one pistol 
empty, come, you'll allow that it's a nice test of a 
gentleman's coolness and so should be countenanced. 

Clifford, {sitting c.) So long as my countenance 
is not pressed into the service, have it as you like. 
{taking chair R. c.) 

Castleton. Ah, Dent, you'd shoot your own 
brother with pleasure, if only the affair was con- 
ducted in proper form. 

Dent, {earnestly) On my hfe I would not — 
not without full cause. 

Clifford. As — for example ? 

Dent. Well, that he spoke ill of a lady I affected. 

Ward. Or that he affected a lady you spoke 
ill of ? 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 73 

Devereux. {lights pipe then sits above Ward l. 
of table) Or that a lady you affected, affected him ? 

Dent. Oh, faith, there are reasons enough, if 
you start on them. 

Castleton. (Ward passes him snuff box) What ? 
For a man to shoot his brother ? 

Dent. Even his brother. 

(All look at Dent — Clifford rises, goes behind Dent, 

puts hand on Dent's shoulder.) 
A gentleman should not, in his relations towards 
another gentleman, presume on the accident of 
kinship. I do not hold His Majesty's Commission, 
as you do, gentlemen. But I will defend my honour, 
even against my brother. 

Castleton. Have you a brother ? [sitting, leans 
forward) 

Dent. No ! 
[All laugh. Clifford goes to l. hand corner of table, 
puts down glass.) 

Castleton. Thank God ! We're saved a tragedy. 

Devereux. [sitting l. of Castleton laughing) 
A brother-in-law, perhaps ? 

Ward. That was the relationship between Joicey 
and McArthur. 

Dent. Then, sir, you touch on the one unpleasant 
aspect of the case. 

Clifford, [standing l. of Dent at head of table) 
Yes, I don't like that. They had been close friends, 
too. 



74 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IIL 

Dent. Sir Robert Clifford misunderstands me. 
I mean, there is a natural hostility between a man 
and his wife's family 

All. (laughing) Oh ! Oh ! 

Dent. Which imparts to the affair an ugly look 
of premeditation. On my soul, in the circumstances, 
I should not have been surprised if the Grand Jury 
had found a bill ! But we'll hope for the best, and 
indeed I am told, as Sir Robert says, that the gentle- 
men had been close friends. 

Castleton. Aye, aye, we'll hope — we'll hope 
McArthur loved Joicey consumedly before he shot 
him, and wept on his grave afterwards. 

(Enter a Servant r. 3 e.) 
Well? 

Servant. I beg pardon, sir. I thought my lord 
was here. 

Castleton. No, he's gone on guard. Is he 
inquired for ? 

Servant. There's a gentleman asking for him, 
sir. 

Castleton. Why doesn't the gentleman come 
in? 

Clifford, [puts pipe down, crosses to c. Dev- 
ereux rises) Aye, let him come in. 

Servant. When I told him that my lord enter- 
tained company, he decHned to come in, sir. 

Omnes. What ? 

Dent. Hum ! Well, if you did not tell him who 
we were 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 75 

Servant. I did not, sir. 

Dent. Then there is no offence, I suppose ? 
(All assent. Devereux sits mjain.) 
What is his name ? 

Servant. The gentleman won't give his name, 
sir. 

Ward, (jumfing up) Oh, a plague on the fel- 
low's mystery ! Come, shall we have him in ? (puts 
down pipe) 

Devereux. (jumping up) Ay, let's have him in. 
We'll have sport with him. (puts down pipe) 

Clifford, (c. jumping up) I'm with you. Come 
along. 

(Clifford, Ward and Devereux run off laughing. 
Servant lets them go by and follows them off.) 

Dent. Yet, on consideration there is something 
churlish in his conduct. Yes, yes ! It is, indeed it 
is a reflection on our host, (rises, goes to r. c, then 
hack to table) For a slur on his company is a slur on 
his friends, and a slur on a man's friends is a slur on 
a man himself, and a slur on a man — on a gentle- 
man 

Castleton. (sitting) Oh, without doubt ! Has- 
senden must run him through the heart ! You have 
proved it by the book, Dent, and without a flaw. 

(A slight sc\if[ie and cries of " Come along, sir, come 
with us,'''' are heard off.) 

What's going on there ? (rises) 



76 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

{Enter Ward, Devereux, Clifford dragging Ursula 
on. Clifford beloiv her, Ward above her, Dev- 
ereux following with candelabra. They pause at 
door as she attempts to break away, then pulls to c. 
Devereux puts candelabra down on table up r. 
Dent forces Ursula into armchair above table l. c. 
and takes her hat, places it on table down l., throws 
her cloak over the back of her chair ; then Ward 
fills punch glass, places it in front of her on table. 

(Devereux gets her pipe filled, passes it to her.) 

Ward, (l.) Come, sir, we're wiser for you than 
you would be for yourself. Here's good company 
and good wine. Let me pour you a glass ? 

(Clifford takes bottle from table, goes to c, sits astride 
chair ; Dent sits r., and Castle ton sits up l. of 
table.) 

Ursula. But, gentlemen, I— I have pressing 
business with Lord Hassenden. 

Clifford. He's on guard, sir. You can't see 
him now. 

Devereux. {up c.) And after that he goes 
direct to Edgware. 

Ursula. To Edgware ? {tries to rise) 

Ward. (l. of her) No, no, you mustn't break 
away from us like that, {presses her back into her 
seat) 

(Devereux behind her chair, picks up candlestick and 
attempts to light pipe for her.) 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 77 

Dent, {to Ursula) You shall do as you will 
presently, sir, but for the moment we must constrain 
you. (remains R. of table) 

Ward. You can't be so uncivil as to leave us 
immediately ? (giving her glass) 

Ursula, (pipe in hand) But, gentlemen 

Dent, (rises) No, no ! Let me present the 
company, (rises, hoivs) 

(All rise at each introduction.) 
Here is Mr. Castleton, Mr. Ward, Sir Robert Clifford, 
Mr. Devereux — all of His Majesty's Guards. I, sir, 
am called Dent, and am very much at your service 
for every purpose, except to show you the door. 

(They sit again, except Devereux up r. of chair and 
Ward l. of table.) 

Will you honour us with your name, sir ? 

(Devereux takes bottle from floor l.) 

Ursula. My — my business being secret, my name 
had best be secret too. (sits again) 

(All except Castleton and Ursula exchange glances. 
Devereux crosses to l. of her to Ward. Clifford 
goes up behind Dent, pours wine for Dent.) 

Dent. As you will, sir ; I may, however, point 
out to you that you are among men of honour. 

(Clifford's chair up r. Devereux and Ward go to 
fireplace.) 

Ursula. Indeed, I don't doubt it, sir. 



78 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

Castleton. Oh, drink your wine, Dent, and never 
mind your honour. 

Dent. Mr. Castleton, I am not accustomed to 
forget my honour, (to Ursula) And a secret told 
to a man of honour is more, not less, of a secret than 
before. Is it not so, gentlemen ? 

Clifford, {crossing back to chair c.) Yes, yes. 

Ward, {comes hack to l. of table above chair, 
Devereux follows him to l. of table by chair) Dent's 
right, it is certainly so. 

Castleton. Nonsense, say I ! A man's name is 
his own, to give or to withhold, {to Ursula) A 
glass of wine with you, sir ? 

(Devereux pours wine out, offers it ; she refuses, 
he goes up to Ward.) 

Ursula, {looks towards door r.) I must beg 
you to excuse me, I will not drink to-night. 

Dent. (r. of table sitting) The gentleman is not 
companionable. He joined us only under compul- 
sion, he will not trust us with his name, he will not 
drink with us. 

(Clifford goes to chair, sits c.) 

Ursula. On my word, gentlemen, I mean no 
offence — none in the world. 

Dent, {rises to behind his chair r. of table) Then 
give me leave to observe, sir, that your behaviour 
might be better matched than it is with your inten- 
tions. 

Castleton. On my life, this shall go no further. 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 79 

{rises, stands L. from table) Come, gentlemen, a 
toast ! I'll give you one that we should drink under 
this roof. Pray, Dent, no quarrels to-night ! 

(Clifford crosses to Devereux, above Ursula's 
chair.) 

Dent. As you will. The gentleman is young, 
and perhaps errs through ignorance, (crosses to 
R. c.) 

Ursula. I own, sir, there is room for me to grow 
wiser. 

Ward, (comes down l. below table to serving table, 
opens bottle, pours wine) Your toast, Jack, your 
toast ! 

All. Yes, the toast. 

Castleton. (l. 0/ table doivn stage) Here it is — 
our host's sister, the beautiful Ursula Barrington. 
We'll drink her now ; if what they say is true, all 
the town shall drink her soon. 

Clifford, (rises, foot on chair c.) Aye, bumpers 
— and standing, gentlemen ! 

(All stand. Ward fills Ursula's glass, she looks at 
him a moment and then stands up.) 

All. (except Ursula) The beautiful Ursula 
Barrington. (hold up glasses and are prepared to 
d/rinJc) 

Dent, (to Ursula) You don't drink, sir ; on 
my faith now to refuse a toast 

Ursula, (above table, hurriedly lifting glass) In- 



8 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

deed, sir, I— I drink very willingly now, sir. {raises 
glass) The beautiful Ursula Barrington ! 
All. Ursula Barrington ! 

(Clifford puts glass down, then moves chair up c. 
Castleton sits up l. Ward sits down r. They 
drink and place glasses on table. ) 

Dent, (stands r. of table) Though, in plain truth, 
and saving your presence, Castleton, I am told that 
the lady is nothing out of the common, (goes up, 
stands l. of Ursula) 

Ursula, (startled) Nothing out of the ! 

(Devereux forces her into chair. All turn and look at 
her. She stops in confusion.) 

Dent. You have heard otherwise, sir ? 
Ursula. I — I — indeed I have some reason to 

(Devereux presses her into chair and comes around to 
Dent, ivho passes him to l. of her.) 

Castleton. (sitting l. of Ursula) So, in faith, 

have I. Why, Dent, her hair is 

(Devereux lea7is on chair r. of table.) 

Dent. There is none too much of it, and when 
not powdered it has, I am assured, a plain touch of 
red. (goes l. of Ursula) 

Ursula, (rising, pressed into chair again by 
Devereux, low) Red ! 

Ward. Oh ! Oh ! 

Clifford, (rises, goes up r. of Ursula. Dev- 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 81 

EREUX moves doivn to chair c.) He'll allow merit to 
nobody. 

Castleton. But her cheek 

Dent. Like the milkmaid's in a frost. Too much 
colour for the taste of the town, believe me. 

(Ward rises, laughing, to fireplace l.) 

Castleton. Nay, then, her mouth 

Devereux. (takes c. chair moves it to r. and sits) 
Grant him her mouth, Dent, for pity's sake. 

Dent. Truth is truth — and her mouth is, I believe, 
for all the world like a leg of mutton with a slice cut 
out. 

Ursula, (rises, Clifford forces her hack into 
chair, loiv) Oh ! 

Ward, (to Castleton above fireplace) Another 
feature. Jack ! You're not bankrupt yet. 

Castleton. Then her nose 

Dent. I grant you — I concede her nose. It 
is very pious — it points the straight way to 
Heaven. 

Castleton. Oh, a plague on his concessions ! 
Well, then her eyes 

Devereux. (sitting down r. c.) She has nothing 
else left — so pray be merciful, Dent. 

Dent. One, I admit, is well enough. 

Ward and Clifford. One ! 

Ursula. One ! (loiv) 

Dent. But the other admires its fellow so intem- 



82 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act TIL 

perately that it is ever trying to see it througli her 
nose. 

{All laugh.) 

{turning to Ursula) In plain English she squints, 
sir, like a Turk. 

Ursula, {jumping up, coming down c. r. of 
table, throws down pipe vehemently) Oh, I'll not endure 
it ! It's a calumny ! 

(Ward crosses to l. of table. Devereux rises, stands 
c. placing chair hack. Castleton comes down to 
corner of table. Clifford rises and comes to 
Devereux r. c.) 

Dent, {comes slowly r. of her) You are acquainted 
with the lady we speak of, sir ? 

{All exchange glances.) 

Ursula, {confused) No, no, I — I'm not ac- 
quainted with her. No, I never saw her in my 
life. 

Dent. Then let me observe, sir, that you do ill 
to accuse me of calumny when you know nothing 
to the contrary of what I say. 

Ward, {above chair head of table, low to Clifford) 
He'll have his quarrel yet. 

Clifford, {above table, sits on arm of chair. Ward 
sits up L.) Oh, he won't be baulked of that ! 

Dent. (r. c. to Ursula) You mark my words* 
sir. 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 83 

Ursula, (r. of table) I care not, I know it is 
calumny. 

Castleton. (l.) Why, so do I — the merest 
calumny — it is told by some jealous woman or dis- 
appointed suitor, {goes up L.) 

(Devereux sits up R.) 

Dent. You, Castleton, are allowed a liberty 
which this gentleman, a stranger, can hardly 
claim. 
(Castleton rises, crosses up ; Clifford sitting on arm 

of chair above table.) 
{to Ursula) Sir, do you repeat that what I say is 
calumny ? 

Ursula, {to c. indignantly) Yes, I do. Of the 
rest I say nothing, but she does not squint. 

Dent. (r. c. shrugging his shoulders) I say she 
does, and since I say she does and you say she doesn't 
why, sir, you say that I lie. 

(Ursula starts back c. All jump up.) 

Castleton. {comes to c. Devereux crosses to 
Castleton, and crosses to Ward and Clifford) No, 
no ! In Heaven's name. Dent ! 

Dent. I won't be interfered with, {to Ursula 
who has come to c.) Do you say I lie, sir ? 

Ursula, (r. of table) I — I — say she doesn't 
squint. 
(Castleton between Ursula and Dent. Dent 

R. c. to Ward, Clifford and Devereux ivho have 

come down l. and stand together.) 



84 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act 111 . 

Dent. Gentlemen, I appeal to you. 

Clifford, (l. of table) That is — he says — you 
lie, for calumny, I take it, is but Latin for a lie. 

Ursula, (c.) I protest — I protest — indeed you 
twist my words. 

Devereux. (down l.) What other meaning is 
there in the words ? 

Ward, [uf l. above Devereux, crosses to l. c. 
below table) And he has repeated them three times. 
{taking step to Ursula) You know, sir, what is usual 
among gentlemen 

Ursula, (c. moves towards r. c.) I — I don't 
understand. 

Castleton. (r. c.) In Heaven's name, are we to 
quarrel over such a trifle ? 

Dent, [crosses to l. c.) The matter has gone too 
far for your intervention, Mr. Castleton. 
{He crosses to l. and whispers an instant to Ward. 

Castleton r. below her, catches Ursula r. c. by 

the arm and draivs her to r. speaking in her ear. She 

is bewildered, Dent turns.) 
I understand the gentleman persists then ? {shrugs 
shoulders) 

{All stand looking at Ursula, a pause.) 

Castleton. (r. hand on Ursula's shoulder) I'll 
have no part in this. The gentleman has given no 
sufficient offence. 

Dent. (l. c.) Say you so ? The plea shall not 
serve. 

(Castleton goes down r.) 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 85 

If there is not offence enough, why, here is more. 
(He draivs a glove from Jiis focket and advances towards 

Ursula, intending to stHke -her in the face with it. 

She stands still.) 
Do you understand this, sir ? 
{He raises his hand ; as he does so a Servant enters 

R. 3 E., they hear him. All look round except 

Ursula, who stands rigid. Dent arrests his bloiv.) 

Servant, (up r.) Sir George Sylvester ! 
(Enter Sylvester, comes slowly to c. amid silence. 
Servant lets him pass.) 

Ursula, (low) Sir George Sylvester ! 

Dent. Sir George Sylvester. 

All. Sir George Sylvester. 

Castleton. (dow7i R.) What ! George, you here 
— at Hassenden's ? 

Sylvester, (hand on chair R. c.) Yes. I am 
here — at Lord Hassenden's. If you require an ex- 
planation, I will give it later. For the present, I am 
here seeking a certain gentleman, (sees Ursula, and 
comes down c. l. of her, facing her) 

(Dent draws hack a little l.) 
Ah, there I see him. (taking off his hat, crosses above 
and hows to Ursula and flings hat to Footman, %vho 
places it on table r.) Your servant, sir. 
(Ursula does not answer.) 
I must trouble you with a word on a matter which 
you can have no difficulty in guessing, Mr. Barring- 
ton ! (throws cloak to Servant) 



86 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

(Servant places cloak on chair down r. and exits 

R. 3 E.) 
All. Mr. Barrington ! Barrington ! 
Sylvester, {smiling) Has Mr. Barrington not 
announced himself? 

(All say " No:') 
I have pleasure in performing that office for him. 
Gentlemen, Mr. Walter Barrington, my Lord Hassen- 
den's brother. 

[All start, and look at one another.) 

Dent. (l. c. below table) Now, by heaven, I 
may put my glove back in my pocket, there's no need 
of further offence now. Look you, gentlemen, by 
the concealment, the wilful concealment, of his name 
he has betrayed me — me a man of breeding — into 
speaking disparagingly of a lady in the presence of 
— her brother ! (coming to Sylvester c.) Pray 
give me leave, Sir George. 

Sylvester, (not moving) Give you leave, Mr 
Dent ? I am so unfortunate as not to understand 
you. 

Dent. Oh, it is plain enough, and but for your 
coming the matter would have been well advanced 
by now. (indicating Ursula) I have a quarrel with 
this gentleman. 

Sylvester, (l. c.) Gad, that's strange ! So 
have I ! 

Ursula, (r. c.) What? Must I fight both of 
you? 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 87 

Dent, {to Sylvester) When I tell you of my 
cause for offence which arose just now 

Sylvester, (c.) Pardon me. I have no leisure 
to hear it. Whatever it be, I claim precedence. My 
quarrel arose earlier in the evening — at my own 
house — at Edgware ! 

Ursula. At Edgware ! A quarrel at Edgware ? 

Dent. (l. c.) I am very reluctant to yield to 
you, Sir George, and I thought you had sworn to go 
out no more. 

Sylvester. There are things which a man cannot 
endure. Let me tell you. 

Dent. In truth I do not like this. Coming after 
you, I am likely to find an opponent not worth a 
thrust. I am convinced, sir, that my quarrel makes 
up in gravity what it lacks in seniority. 

Sylvester. No, no ! I insist on my seniority ! 

Castleton. (r.) But, George, your quarrel is 
not with Mr. Barrington here, but with 

Sylvester. By your leave. Jack, I say it is with 
Mr, Barrington ; you shall hear. 

Ursula. Pray let me hear, for I vow I know of no 
quarrel. 

Ward. (l. of c.) \ 

Clifford, (betiveen them) - Yes, let us hear. 

Devereux. (doivn l.) j 

Dent. (l. c.) What the plague, Castleton, is it 
your business to spoil every quarrel ? 

Ward. Now let me hear, Sylvester. 

Sylvester, (c. l. of Ursula) Mr. Barrington 



88 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

shall correct me if I err in any particular. At my 
house at Edgware to-day this gentleman presented 
himself. He came on important business. Is it not 



so, sir 



Uesula. (r. c.) Yes, it is so. 

Sylvester. Our conversation was long, and it 
was friendly, is it not so, sir ? 

Ursula. Yes. 

Castleton. {down r.) Friendly ! why, then, 
George 

Sylvester, (smiling) No, no. Jack. Pray keep 
him quiet, gentlemen. (Castleton comes ^oWard, who 
whispers to him. Castleton makes signs of protest.) 
At the end of our conference, it appeared that 
Mr. Barrington was proceeding to London. I was 
to go next day — to Jack Castleton's here. But 
for the pleasure of his company, I changed my 
plans. Mark me, for his sake I changed my 
plans. 

Dent. (l. c.) I mark that. Sir George. Faith, 
it may be a fact of great moment, (turns to others 
significantly) 

Sylvester. His chaise was at the door. I pro- 
posed to ride with him. Gentlemen, he accepted my 
proposal with cordiality, with great cordiality 

(All look at each other.) 

Is it not so, sir ? 

Ursula, (r. of c. assenting) I — I can deny none 
of it. 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 89 

Sylvester. Thus we were to go. Then I begged 
a few minutes in which to change my dress and make 
myself fit for his distinguished company. He agreed 
readily. I went, leaving him in my dining-room 

[General movement. All exchange looks. A fause.) 
Gentlemen, I am at your disposal. 

(They all look hack at him.) 
Pray listen. 

(Castleton to L.) 

When I returned, Mr. Barrington was gone. 

All. {except Ursula) Gone ! 

(Exchange looks quickly, Devereux crosses l.) 

Sylvester. Gone ! 

(They all look at Sylvester.) 
Run off, without a word — an explanation — an apology 
— an excuse ! I was left in the lurch, a misguided 
fool, while he went up to town — laughing at me. 

Ward. Monstrous, (comes doivn to fireplace) 

(Castleton bus. with Ward. Clifford bus. with 

Devereux.) 

Ursula. I — I did not laugh. 

Dent. The denial is limited — very strictly limited. 
He went, but he did not laugh. 

Devereux. A great palliation truly, (moves 
down L.) 

Clifford. PalHation ! Nay, it seems to me that 
it aggravates his offence, (down l. of table) 



90 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

Dent. True, true, it shows that the act was no 
mere whim, but a dehberate premeditated insult. 
(at table) 

Sylvester. What say you, gentlemen ? Have I 
a good cause of quarrel ? 

Devereux. a rank affront. 

Ward. I never heard worse. 

Clifford. You can't sit down under it, Sir George. 

Dent. Faith, it's a better quarrel than my own. 
I'll not give up my rights, but I'll yield you prece- 
dence, hang me if I don't ! 

Castleton. {a step forward) But, Mr, Barring- 
ton, surely you have some explanation, some excuse 
to offer Sir George ? 

Ursula. I have none ! 

Omnes. None ! 

Ursula. None that I can give. 

All. {look at each other) Ah — a — a — aha ! 

Sylvester, (r. c. advancing a step towards her 
and smiling) Have you none, sir ? No plea to disarm 
my resentment ? 

Ursula. No, I have none. 

Dent. He is utterly intractable. 

Sylvester. You are sure, sir ? No explanation, 
no excuse ? 

Ursula. Neither, sir. 

Dent. Then the course is plain. 

{All make expectant movement.) 
We waste time in talking. 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 01 

Sylvester. Still, one moment, please ! 

{Gentlemen pause.) 

I want to ask Mr. Barrington, this gentleman here, 
one question before you all. 

Dent. Sir George, at the stage we have reached, 
is it regular ? 

Sylvester. Forgive me. The position is pecu- 
liar. 

(Ward to front.) 

{to Ursula, looking at her intently) Mr. Barrington, 
if you and I were alone, sir, would you give any 
excuse which you will not give before others ? 

{All listen breathlessly.) 

Ursula. There is no excuse that I could or would 
give to you. Sir George. 

{All relax someivhat.) 

Dent. Then the affair goes on. 
Clifford and Devereux. Undoubtedly ! 
Ward. To-morrow morning ? 

{All look at Ward.) 
Ursula. No ! 

{They turn to her.) 
If I must fight, I will fight. But I can't fight to- 
morrow. 

Dent. Oh, take your time. The next day, then ? 
Ursula. No, if 1 fight at all, I fight here and now 

{A movement from the rest.) 



92 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

Castleton. (a step fonvard) What ! here — now ? 

Dent. Irregular, most irregular. 

Uksula. (r. c.) I am challenged, haven't I choice 
of time and place ? 

Castleton. Oh, if you insist. And neither of 
you are in the Service. 

Ward. We should not venture to fight in such 
fashion, (doivn l.) 

Dent, (to Clifford) Clear the room then. 
Have that table back. 
(Devereux above table, Clifford to l. of table and 

Ward below table l. go to table and take hold of it, 

preparatory to moving it.) 
Shall I act for you. Sir George ? (boivs to him) 

(Sylvester goes doum r.) 

And perhaps Castleton ? 

Ursula. Pray don't move the table that way, 
gentlemen. 

(The three look round at her.) 

Into the middle of the room, please, (goes c. iij) 
stage) Here, if you please. 

Castleton. (comes to c.) The middle of the 
room ? It will be in your way, Mr. Barrington. 

Ursula. No, it will be between us. 

Dent. (r. at table, at lower end) Between you ? 
The deuce — you fight with swords, I take it, sir ? 

Ursula, (r. c.) I beg that Mr. Castleton, if he 
acts for me, will stipulate that we fight with pistols. 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 03 

Sylvester, (doivn r. startled) Pistols ! 

Dent. (l. c.) Well, Mr. Barrington is the chal- 
lenged party. 

Ward, {below table l.) I don't like pistols in the 
dining-room. 

Dent. (r. of Ward) Nor I. But Hassenden has 
duelling pistols, I know. Castleton, I shall need your 
help. 

Castleton. [down l.) In what ? 

Dent. In loading the pistols. 

Ursula, (c.) In loading one of them. 

(Devereux looks at Clifford. Ward looks at 
Castleton. Sylvester starts, all look at Ursula.) 

In loading one of them, (looks at Sylvester) You 
force me to fight. Sir George Sylvester. I will fight 
in my own way. The table between us and one 
pistol loaded. We will fight as Colonel Joicey and 
Mr. Mc Arthur fought. 

Sylvester. What ? 

Ursula. The table between us, and one pistol 
loaded. 

Sylvester. Good God ! 

(Ward goes up to Clifford and Devereux. They 
stand above table. Sylvester looks intently at her ; 
she smiles, the rest ivhisper together. A pause. 
Dent crosses down to Castleton l. Ward moves 
cooler and mugs on floor.) 



94 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

Ursula. Thus, sir, our skill will be equal — and 
our chances. Do you quarrel with that ? 

{Bus. with table.) 

Dent. Faith, sir, I don't ! {crosses up r. and 
down to Sylvester r.) And now you shall see, 
gentlemen, that I was right, and that such an affair 
makes a pretty spectacle. 

Castleton. (l.) It's murder, damned murder. 

Ursula, (c.) Let those who urged on the quarrel 
reckon with that. 

{They move table c.) 

Sylvester, (r. to Dent, who is a little above him) 
I meant only to disarm him — if he fought at all. 

Dent. (r. aside to Sylvester) Aye, but you're 
in for something more now. Gad, I'm no coward, 
but I begin to regret less my courtesy in yielding you 
precedence. 

Ursula, (c.) Pray bring the pistols, my time 
is short. 

Dent. In this world, sir ? 

Ursula. In the same world with Sir George. 

Dent, (r.) On my honour, well answered ! 
Given a bit of luck to-night, you'll live to become a 
wit. 

Castleton. {crossing to l. c. towards Ursula, 
who crosses down to him) Mr. Barrington, you can't 
mean this ? 

Ward, {above table) In truth I myself 

Ursula. I mean it absolutely. 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 95 

Dent. The pistols then. Clifford, I believe you'll 
find them on the shelf there by the mantelpiece. 

(Clifford crosses l. to above mantelpiece, gets box 
containing pistols and brings it to Dent r. He 
opens it and taJces pistols, giving box to Clifford. 
who puts it on table and places Dent's chair up stage 
R. c.) 

Castleton, {goes up l.) we turn our backs and load — 
one of them. 

(Devereux, Clifford and Ward move to cup stage.) 

Castleton. {crossing to r.) Lord forgive us. 

{He crosses to Dent r. They turn and stand together 
over the pistols. Castleton r. of table. Dent 
below small table r. loading pistol. Long pause. 
Sylvester and Ursula steadily look at each other. 
Dent brings pistols over r. of c. table, laying them 
side by side on lower end of table. Castleton 
crosses to l. above table to down l. Dent moves up 
to R. of table, stands facing audience.) 

Dent. Gentlemen, the pistols {indicating them 
tvith extreme courtesy) ; one of them is loaded, the 
other 

Ward, {up c.) Before God ! 

(Clifford and Devereux restrain him.) 

Dent, {silences him with his l. hand) The other 
empty. 



96 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

Castleton. (mdicating pistols) Sir George, will 
you ? 

Sylvester. (quicMy) Mr. Barrington is the 
challenged party, the choice is his. 

Dent. Then pray, Mr. Barrington — (motions to 
Ursula) 

(Ursula looks at Sylvester a moment, turns, takes a 
step to table, l. of table, and ivith a quick decisive 
movement snatches a pistol nearest her. Dent in 
pantomime motions Sylvester ; he is still looking 
at Ursula, ivalks slowly up to table r. of table. 
Dent moves doivn r. Sylvester slowly lifts pistol, 
both have pistols behw the table, arms hanging by 
their side.) 

Dent, (moving up to r. c. above table) Your posi • 
tions, gentlemen, (places Sylvester in position r. 
of table) 

(Castleton places Ursula l. of table.) 

Your bodies to touch the edge of the table, gentlemen. 
Castleton. (down l.) Mr. Dent will count 

three ; on the word three you fire. 

Dent, (beloiv r.) One of you, the other 

Sylvester. (looking at Ursula) Enough, 

enough, sir, we understand. 

(Dent motions to Castleton, they bow to the princi- 
pals and to each other and go up stage. Dent up 
R. Castleton up l.) 

Dent. Ready, gentlemen 

Ward. Before God, I 



Act ITT] THE ADVENTUKE OF LADY URSULA. 07 

Dent, (holding up his hand to the others) Pray 
keep quite still, gentlemen, (loudly, slowly and 
impressively counts) One, two 

Sylvester, (raising his hand) Stop ! 

(Ursula drops barrel of pistol on table, looking at him 
mockingly. All turn toivards him.) 

I will not fight on these terms or in this manner. I 
have, I believe, proved my courage. But I have no 
mind either to murder this gentleman, or to be mur- 
dered by him. 

(A pause.) 

Dent, (comes down c.) Hum ! Your courage. 
Sir George, is doubtless beyond the need of vindica- 
tion. But you have challenged Mr. Barrington, and 

he has chosen 

(Ward, Devereux and Clifford move down l. 
laughing.) 

Sylvester. A barbarous mode of encounter. 

Dent. Ah, one in which your courage has not yet 
been proved, (laughs and looks at Ward l.) 

(Devereux l. above Clifford, ivho is l. c, who laugh. 

Castleton also moves down l., then leaves them, 

goes up stage.) 

Sylvester, (r. of table c.) With any gentleman 
here, except my friend Jack Castleton, I am ready to 
prove it in that mode also. 

(Castleton crosses to r., leans on hack of chair. Ward, 
Devereux and Clifford groiv grave.) 



98 THE ADVEKTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

Shall I begin with you, Mr. Dent ? 

Dent. (r. smiling) My dear Sir George, have 
we a quarrel ? No, no, and I agree that you might 
hesitate if Jack Castleton, your old friend, were in 
question. But Mr. Barrington has, as you yourself 
insist, grossly affronted you. Come, gentlemen, 
doesn't Sir George owe us a reason for this refusal ? 

Ward, (l.) I think he does. 

Clifford, {between WAni) and Devereux) To 
offer a challenge and decline the acceptance. 

Devereux. (l. c. up stage) Oh, I say nothing, 
but Mr. McArthur held himself bound to accept, and 
the Clubs in Dublin approved his conduct. 

Dent, (r.) They offered him a banquet, sir, 
but he declined through a sensibility possibly exces- 
sive. 

Ursula, (l. of table, tvaves pistol towards Dever- 
eux, Ward, etc.) Pray, gentlemen, when your 
discussion is ended (bus.) 

Sylvester, (r. c.) I will not fight thus, (places 
pistol on table) 

Ward, (l.) We await your reasons. Sir George 
Sylvester. 

Sylvester. Mr. Barrington had incensed me by 
his uncivil conduct ; I would have given him a lesson 
in manners. But I will not fight him as Joicey and 
McArthur fought. 

Dent, (r.) The reason, sir ? 

Sylvester. Will you have the reason ? 

Dent. We wait for it. 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 99 

Ward. Yes, we are waiting for it. 

Sylvester, (r. of table c.) Here it is then. 
[looks hard at Ursula) In aiming at Mr. Barrington 
I should aim at his sister, Lady Ursula ! 
(Ursula starts, all show surprise.) 
To whom his Kfe is as dear as her own. 

Castleton. Lady Ursula ? 

Sylvester. And I — gentlemen, we are private 
here — I have too deep an interest in that lady to 
suffer me to injure her. 

Castleton. [down r.) But, George, you never 
saw her. 

Sylvester, (looking at Ursula, who is facing 
him L. c, slowly and smiling a little) I am not sure. 
Be that as it may, for Lady Ursula's sake I will not 
meet that gentleman in the mode that he proposes. 

Dent. A strange attitude. Sir George, if I may 
make free to observe so much. 
[All laugh.) 

Sylvester. If my attitude offends you, Mr. Dent, 
or any one here, I am ready to answer the offence. 
And I'll not complain if you or he choose Joicey and 
McArthur way. There is the table. 

(All stop laughing.) 

Ward, (down l. laughing) On my life, I'm not 
for you in that fashion. 

Clifford. Nor I ! 

Devereux. (laughing) I'll keep myself for my 
wife's family. 



100 THE ADVENTURE OFj^LABY URSULA. [Act III. 

Waed. (comes to l. of Ursula) Come, let's be 
friends. Sir George's courage needs no proof, Mr. 
Barrington has given full evidence of his. And see- 
ing Sir George's mood, I think Mr. Dent must allow- 
that he has been misinformed concerning Lady Ursula. 

(Devereux and Clifford come down a step.) 

Dent, (r.) Indeed, if Sir George has ceased to 
hate women for her sake 

Castleton. [coming doivn to Dent r.) Why, it 
would seem as though her eyes looked straight after 
all. {goes up stage again to l. of table.) 

{All laugh. Ward a7id Clifford ^o Devereux l.) 

Sylvester, {down r. c.) For my part I will 
accept Mr. Barrington's apology if he will assure me 
that he had good cause for his behaviour. Although 
it be such that he can't give it here. 

Castleton. Come, Mr. Barrington, don't be 
behind Sir George in complaisance, {taking her 
pistol from her) 

Ursula, (l. c.) In good truth, gentlemen, I had 
the best of reasons, but one I cannot give to you. 

Clifford, {coming to l. of her) By heavens, a 
lady in the case ! 

Devereux. (l. c.) Ha, ha ! 

Dent, (r.) For a thousand pounds now ! 

Ward, (l.) Confess yourself, Mr. Barrington. 

Ursula. {s7niUng) I must own it, a lady in the 
case. 

Castleton. {up r.) I thought as much. 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 101 

Sylvester, {down r. c.) I'd have sworn it. 

Dent. And one that looks straight, sir ? 

Ursula, (l. of table) Why, yes — when a man she 
hkes is in front of her. 

Castleton. [sfeaking across table) And whose 
mouth is 

Ursula. Well enough to eat and speak with — 
beyond that I cannot tell. 

Devereux and Clifford, {doiim l.) Oh ! Oh ! 

Dent, (r.) And her cheeks, sir ? 

Ursula, {comes doivn front of table c, looks at 
Dent) Not over red, if only they are left alone. 

(Ward goes to l. of table. Castleton up c. to 
l. c. Dent crosses down r. c. of table. Sylvester 
below table r. loiver corner.) 
Ward. Bumpers, and in all friendship ! 
All. (folloiving towards table) Agreed, agreed ! 

[They stand round table and fill glasses.) 

Castleton. (c. above table) A double toast now ! 
We'll drink to the ladies — Sir George's and Mr. Bar- 
rington's. 

Ward, {down l., Clifford l. of table) And if 
God makes Sir George and Mr. Barrington brothers- 
in-law, why He has sent them warning by the fate of 
Joicey and McArthur. 

Devereux. {up r. corner of table) The toast, 
and then to bed. 

Sylvester, (r.) I'll give it then, {holds up 
glass) Here's to the beautiful Lady 'Ursula, {pauses) 



102 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

Dent, (r.) Go on, sir, go on. There'll be a new 
quarrel if you forget the other lady. 

Sylvester (bowing to Ursula) And to the lady 
whom in all the world Mr. Barrington loves best ! 
(Ursula turns her hack to audience with glass uplifted, 
facing group. They all raise glasses) 
Castleton. {to Ursula) Drink, sir, drink. 
Ursula. I drink to both of them. 
{All drink.) 

Castleton. {up l. corner of table) And when 
they meet may they love each other. 

{They set down glasses.) 

Sylvester, {leaning on table looking intently at 
her) I think they will. 

Ursula, {puts down glass nervously) I trust so 
indeed. 

Castleton. And now — to bed ! 
{All except Ursula and Sylvester prepare to go. 
All go up stage, get hats and cloaks.) 

Sylvester, (l. c.) If Mr. Barrington will allow 
me, I have one word for his private ear. 

Ursula, {starting) lam — I — {going dotvnh. turns 
away from him and bows) I am at your service, sir. 
(Sylvester goes up stage, stands leaning on back of 

chair r. c. watching her, till all have gone. Dent 

turns to Ursula r. c.) 

Dent. Good-night, sir. Yet I beg you practise 
in future a more polite mode of fighting. 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 103 

Ursula. My fighting, sir, shall grow more polite 
if your speech will. 

Ward. (l. wp stage, crosses down c. l. of door) 
He has you. Dent. Let him alone ! 

Clifford, (follows him to l. of Dent hetween 
Ward and Dent) Aye, and you thought the mode 
pretty, you remember. 

Dent. (r. c.) Faith, so I did, till Sir George 
proposed to try it with me. 

[All laugh. Ward takes Clifford's arm and goes 
off R. 3 e. with him. Followed by Devereux 
laughing and talking.) 

Good-night. 

(Dent goes towards door r. 3 e., 6i^^ pauses. Castle - 
TON goes to him and takes his arm.) 

Castleton. To bed, to bed. 

Dent, (uf r. c, to Ursula) Practise the sword, 
sir, the sword. Your figure is made for the art. 

Ursula, (down l.) I thank you, sir. 

Castleton. Come, Dent, will you be gone ? 

Dent. For a barbarous mode of resentment 
unduly confines freedom of opinion. Pray think of 
this. Good-night. 

(Dent hows and exits.) 

Castleton. (r. c. up stage) Mr. Barrington, your 
servant. 

(They how.) 

George, you will follow me presently ? 



104 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

Sylvester, (up r. c.) As soon as I have said 
what I want to say to Mr. Barrington. 
Castleton. Good ! Till then ! 

(Castleton waves his hand and exits off n. 3 e.) 

(Ursula l. of table and Sylvester up r. of table face 
one another. A pause, then Ursula reels a little. 
Sylvester springs fonvard to help her, but she 
stops him, makes her way to armchair above table and 
stands resting her arm on its back.) 

Ursula, [up l. of table) You — you have some- 
thing to say to me ? 

Sylvester, (folloivs her, standing on her l., goes 
for glass) But a word or two. From your not giving 
your name to these gentlemen, I presume that you 
wished your movements not to be known. 

Ursula, (goes down to l. of table) It is so. I 
would not have joined them, but they forced me in. 

Sylvester, (l. of her) And from your readiness 
to fight in that most desperate fashion sooner than 
risk discovery, I presume that your relations with 
this lady are a profound secret ? 

Ursula. A secret most profound, Sir George. 

Sylvester. Probably when you leave here you 
will seek her ? 

Ursula. Her first, and then my brother. 

Sylvester, (with a disappointed air) Ah, then 
I fear you can't do me the service I had meant to ask 
of you. I regret it, sir, but I understand your posi- 
tion. As regards your brother, I am of the same 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 105 

mind as before. Pray present my compliments to 
him. Good-night, {turns aivay, crosses her to r. c. 
front of table and up) 

Ursula, {following him to r. corner of table) 
Pray wait, pray wait. What is the service you desire 
of me ? 

Sylvester, {taking up coat and hat from chair 
R. c.) But if you seek this lady immediately, you 
can't perform it. Good-night, {movement towards 
door) 

Ursula, (r. c.) Sir, sir, a moment ! 

Sylvester, (r. c. up stage) For the service I 
would have begged of you is to seek your sister imme- 
diately — so again good-night, {goes up) 

Ursula, (r. c. following him) You're very 
hasty. 

(Sylvester pauses and turns.) 

Perhaps — perhaps I could contrive to see my sister 
also. 

Sylvester, {up at door r.) What ? At the 
same time as the lady ? No, no, Mr. Barrington. 

Ursula, (r. of table, turns away, faces audience) 
I — I mean on the way. Why yes, sir, why not ? 
On my way to the lady ? 

Sylvester, {coining down a little r. c. with hat 
and cloak in hand) The lady lives near your sister, 
then? 

Ursula, {coming down c. by table) Yes, very 
near, c|uite near. 



106 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

Sylvester, (folloiving her doivn) You heard 
what I said about your sister ? 

Ursula, [down c.) About my {Laughs) 

[He laughs, mocking her.) 
Oh, I assure you I took it as no more than a device 
to extricate yourself from a difficulty. 

Sylvester, (smiling) As no more than that ? 

Ursula. As no more indeed, [laughs nervously) 

(Sylvester laughs.) 

(l, of table) What more could it be if — if — if you 
have never seen her? 

Sylvester, (r. of table, slowly) True, if I have 
never seen her. 

{A short pause, he smiling, she confused.) 
To return, will you carry my message to her ? 

Ursula, {coming to him r. of table) With all my 
heart. What is it ? 

Sylvester, (r. of table) But do you think she 
will listen to it kindly ? 

Ursula, (turns her face from him) If I can per- 
suade her, sir, she will. 

Sylvester, (comes c. below table) Tell her, then, 
that if she will to-morrow again stop before my door, 
she shall be most truly welcome. 

(Ursula, triumphant.) 

Ursula. I will give your message, (going l. of 
table holding him in check) 

Sylvester, (advancing a step toivards her) But 



Act III] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 107 

what will its reception be ? Is she of a forgiving 
temper ? 

Ursula, (moves to l.) Toward those who please her. 

Sylvester, (follows her) Do I please her ? 

Ursula, (l. of table) How — how should you, if 
you have never seen her. 

Sylvester, (l. of table, a little above Ursula) 
Ah, true, if I have never seen her. But should I 
please her if she saw me ? 

Ursula, (mock carelessly) That she shall tell 
you when she sees you. 

Sylvester, (over her shoulder) Then you think 
she will come ? 

Ursula, (l.) I — I think she will. 

Sylvester, (l. of table, below table) Yet in case 
she shouldn't, there is one thing I will beg of you. 
I have something of hers 

Ursula, (starting) You have something of hers ? 

Sylvester. Which I must not keep, because it 
is not by her will or gift that I have it. 

Ursula. But I — I can't think what it is. 
(catching herself up) 

Sylvester, (smiling) Why should you know 
what it is ? It was found in my house. 

Ursula. In your house ? 

Sylvester. Yes — or perhaps in the avenue ; 
she must have dropped it — maybe in her faintness, sir, 
or as she hurried away. But it is certainly hers 
It has her name on it. 

Ursula. Her name ? 



108 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act III. 

Sylvester. Yes, it is inscribed Ursula ! (l. of 
table taking out Ursula's handkerchief) Give it to 
her and say — if she will accord me her forgiveness 
and her favour — let her bring it herself to me again. 
Here it is, sir. {gives her handkerchief) 
(Ursula takes handkerchief timidly, looks at him a 
moment, and then turns away in confusion. Syl- 
vester smiles.) 
Let her bring it to me again. Good-night, (stands, 
smiling, then goes up to door, pauses and turns at 
door) Tell her, too, that she is in my thoughts. 
Good-night. 

{Stands looking and smiling at her a moment. She 

does not look at him.) 

{He exits R. 3 e.) 

(Ursula stands a moment looking at the handkerchief. 

Turns and runs up to door heloiv table, comes R. c.) 

Ursula. Has he guessed ? Did he know me ? 

Oh, I am a fool ! It was nothing, {goes up and 

looks off R. 3 E.) How did he look ? Oh, I am mad 

with — with — T don't know what I am mad with, but 

mad I am. Did he know me — does he ? (lets 

hat and cloak fall on stage. Looks at handkerchief , 
then half laughing, half sobbing) Oh ! 
(Kisses handkerchief twice and then hides her face 
in it, falling on her knees.) 

QUICK CURTAIN. 
END OF ACT III. 



ACT IV. 

Scene. — Sylvester's House. 
Time. — About 12.30 a.m. 

[Discovered R. of table Blimboe, writing a sermon. 

Mills stands R. of him with candle. He yawns as 

curtain rises.) 

Blimboe. (reading from sermon) Therefore, 
brother, the world being full of snares and wicked- 
ness, it is beyond all else necessary and expedient 
that you hearken 

(Mills yawns — Blimboe looks tip a moment, then goes 
on.) 

That you hearken to the words of my text and quit 
yourselves like men. 

Mills, (c.) It grows late, Mr. Blimboe ! 

Blimboe. (reading) And, dear sisters, think not 
that the text has no application to you. You also 
in your proper manner and 

(Mills yawns, Blimboe loohs up, then goes on.) 

sphere of action can, and should, quit yourselves 



no THE AD VENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

like men. For it is not the raiment that makes the 
man 

Mills, (c.) I have locked the door, sir ; shall 
you be up long yet ? 

Blimboe. Not long, not long. (Heading) It is 
not 

Mills. It's hard on one o'clock, sir. 

Blimboe. Go to bed, go to bed, Mills. Leave 
me to work. I must complete the revision of my 
sermon. Where was I ? Ah, yes. (Reading) It is 
not the raiment 

Mills. Good-night, sir. (At door r. 2 e.) The 
sermon doesn't seem to send him to sleep — it will 
me though, on Sunday. 

(Exit Mills r.) 
(Knock.) 

Blimboe. (Reading) It is not the raiment that 
makes the true man. (lays down paper) It is strange 
that sometimes a man's thoughts will wander and 
the mind be full of alien images. To-night my mind 
holds nothing but vanities — aye, or worse — duels — 
gallant gentlemen to fight them — and yes, alas, fair 
ladies to cause 'em ? Yet (shaking his head) men 
should not fight duels nor should ladies cause 'em. 
Our natures are perverse. Come, to work, (takes up 
paper and reads) It is the heart that makes the man, 

and a weak woman may have a heart as bold 

(lets paper drop and jumps up) So I wager — at least 
I do not wager — no — I opine, ^has this Lady Ursula ! 
I wish I had seen her, but she was in bed — why, she 



Act IV] THE ADVENTXTRE OF LADY URSULA. HI 

was not in bed — she was — ah, where was she ? At 
least she was not to be seen. Well — well ! 
(Blimboe is about to sit down ivlien a loud knock is 
heard off l.) 

A knock ! Who is it at this time ! Can Sir George 
have come back. 

{Knock.) 

Ah, and Mills has gone to bed. 

{Knock.) 
I must open the door myself. 

{Knock.) 
(Takes candle from table in l. hand and goes up L. 

and pauses.) 
It may not be Sir George ! I don't know who it 

may be. 

(Knock.) 

(Blimboe goes up l. to fireplace.) 
At this hour there may be need of carnal weapons. 

(Knock.) 

(Blimboe takes up a poker and exits cautiously l. 2.) 

(A pause. The noise of bolts drawn back and a cry 

of surprise from Blimboe. Enter Dorothy in 

agitation, followed by Blimboe. After door has 

been bolted.) 

Blimboe. Miss — Miss Fenton — ^in heaven's name 
what brings you here ? (down l. closes door and 
holt and chain) 

H 



112 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

Dorothy — (said off — coming in l. c.) Oh, where 
— where is Ursula ? 

Blimboe. Lady Ursula — where is Lady Ursula ? 
Why, surely she's in bed ? no ! I should say, surely 
she has gone to London (r.) 

Dorothy, (c.) Alas, sir (crosses, sits r. of 

table) She's neither in bed nor, so far as I know, 
gone to London. She went out — I promised to sit 
up and let her in. My aunt thought she had gone 
to bed with a headache. I waited, but she didn't 
return. So I pretended to go to bed — and I have 
run here all alone all the way. Surely, surely she 
is here, Mr. Blimboe ? (rises, crosses to door R. 2) 

Blimboe. (coming down c.) Surely here! Surely 
not here ! Can you suppose. Madam ? 

Dorothy, (crosses front of table to l.) Not here ! 
(comes down c.) Oh, what has become of her ? 

Blimboe. How could she be here ? It would 
be 

Dorothy. Oh, it would be — be all that it shouldn't 
be. T know that well, (crosses to c.) But where 
is she? (back c.) She came here — she came here 
this evening. 

Blimboe. (looks at her, goes and puts poker down 
on table and comes round table to her l. c.) Did she 
come here ? 

Dorothy. Yes ! Yes ! It was a secret, (goes 
up to table l.) of course, but I must tell you now. 
I'm at my wit's end, and you may be able to 
help me. If my aunt should discover her absence 



Act IV] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 113 

or — oh — if Lord Hassenden should return and find 
her absent ! (going close to him helow table l. shakes 
him by the arm) Speak for heaven's sake, speak, 
Mr. BHmboe. She may have been murdered ! [sits 
R. of table). 

Blimboe. (goes up l. of table, around table behind 
her, tries to pacify her) You say she came here ? 

Dorothy, (hysterically) Yes — yes — about eight 
o'clock, dressed as you are. 

Blimboe. (comes c. looking down at his clothes) 
Dressed as I am ? 

Dorothy. Oh no, not exactly as you are. (rises 
hysterically) But in — oh, as a man, you know. 
(crosses R. c.) 

Blimboe. As a man ! 

Dorothy, (r. c.) Pretending to be her brother 
Walter. 

Blimboe. Heavens above us ! (drops into chair 
R. of table) 

Dorothy. She should have been back long ago. 
(crosses to him, shakes him) But I've not seen her 
since, (goes up stage R. to alcove, looks off l.) 

Blimboe. (sits a moment, then begins to laugh) 
It was she then. 

(Dorothy crosses to r. c, looks over balustrade, then 
door R. e.) 

By all that's wonderful, it was she — oh, ha, ha ! 
And Sir George — oh, ha, ha ! 
Dorothy. You're laughing ! I declare you are ! 



114 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

Oh, how can you laugh ? {comes down to table l.) 

Blimboe. (suddenly grave) I laughing! I laugh! 
My dear lady, oh no, I don't laugh — I — I deplore. 
I laugh at a thing so unseemly as for a young lady 
— a young lady of rank too, sister to my Lord Hassen- 
den — to come — to come alone — to a gentleman's 
house in — in — in what I wear and ! 

Dorothy, (r. c.) I know all that, Mr. Blimboe, 
but 

Blimboe. Laugh indeed ! I'm aghast. Miss 
Fenton, quite aghast ! 

Dorothy, {goes to him, pulls his goivn) For 
pity's sake tell me — is she here ? What — what has 
become of her ? {crosses to r. c, looks off r.) 

Blimboe. {rises c, smiling again) To think of 
it! Oh, her airs, her jaunty walk, her laced hat, 
the turn of her {indicates leg) 

Dorothy, {turns quickly and comes down stage) 
Mr. BHmboe ! 

Blimboe. {starting) I — I beg your pardon. 

(Dorothy sits.) 

{crosses to l. of table) Well, Miss Fenton, I can 
give you information. The gentleman you seek 

Dorothy, (r. of table) The gentleman ? 

Blimboe. I should say the lady — yes, the lady. 
Miss Fenton. The lady took his leave — her leave — 
very hastily and set out in his — in her chaise for 
London about nine o'clock. 

Dorothy. Then she has gone to London ? 



Act IV] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 115 

Blimboe. oil, yes, he's gone to London. 
(Dorothy loohs at him across table.) 

She's — she's gone to London. 

Dorothy. But where in London ? 

Blimboe. Oh, that I don't know. Sir George 
was to go with her 

Dorothy, {stands, then sits) Sir George with 
her ! (rises) Worse and worse 1 

Blimboe. But, as I was about to observe, he did 
not. She evaded him and escaped alone. He 
followed soon afterwards in his own chaise. Beyond 
that I know nothing. 
(Pause. Dorothy sits aghast. Blimboe takes up 

paper, looks at it a moment, reads in an absent 

tone.) 
It is not the raiment that makes the true man, it is 
the heart and 

Dorothy, (rises, crosses to r. c.) Oh, what are 
you talking of ? And meanwhile, Ursula may be — 
(shudders) Well, I must go home. 

(Blimboe rises.) 

(crosses back to L. c. to r. of table) No, T daren't go 
home. I must stay here, (sits r. of table) 
(Blimboe drops paper and looks across at her, sitting 
L. of table.) 

Blimboe. (slowly) You must stay here. Miss 
Fenton ? 

Dorothy. Yes, till Ursula comes. 



116 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

Blimboe. (sitting at table l.) But, my dear young 
lady, I apprehend — and — er — I may add, hope — 
that Lady Ursula will not come — not to-night at all 
events. It's so — so very late. 

Dorothy. I must wait in case she should. Be- 
sides, I daren't face my aunt nor Frank. No, I'll 
stay here, {points to paper) Oh, go on with your 
task. I won't interrupt you. 

Blimboe, But, my dear Miss Fenton 

Dorothy. I shall stay ! (turns to him) Pray 
don't discuss it with me. I do you no harm, Mr. 
Bhmboe. 

Blimboe. You do me no harm, certainly. But 
pray excuse me — if anybody came ? 

Dorothy. Anybody came ? (jumping up, crosses 
to R.) Why, who should come ? 

Blimboe. If you were found here ? 

Dorothy, (looks round) Who should find me 
here ? (goes door R. 2 e.) 

Blimboe. In a likelihood, indeed, nobody, but 
I am here. 

Dorothy, (turning and looking at him) Oh — 
you ! (then goes up r.) 

Blimboe. And — and — now I wonder how such 
a thing would present itself to the Bishop's mind ! 

Dorothy. My errand is harmless, (advancing 
towards him to l. c.) Mr. Blimboe, let who will come 
— I am only seeking Ursula. I would face all the world. 

Blimboe. (below table) Yes, yes, all the world 
— but what about the Bishop ? 



Act IV] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 117 

Dorothy, (r.) I am not afraid. Let all the 

world 

[Knock — heard off l.) 
{Bus.) Hush, a knock ! Oh, that must be Ursula ! 

Thank heaven — I'll run and let her [runs down 

L., crosses to front of table l.) 

Blimboe. (intercepts her — below table) It can't 
be Ursula — she won't come back. 

Dorothy, {very loudly) Not Ursula ! Not Ur- 
sula ! 

(Blimboe hushes her, whisperingly.) 
Then who is it ? I can't be seen — I can't be — — 
{crosses up L. c.) 

Blimboe. {loudly) But you said just now 

Dorothy, {hushes him — catches his arm, pulls 
him up L. behind table to l. c.) 

{He catches hold of chair l. c, pulls it over, and falls 

exhausted on chest up l.) 
Just now ? Oh, what does it matter what I said just 
now. You must hide me. 

(Blimboe goes up.) 
If it's not Ursula ! See, behind that curtain there ! 
If it's Ursula I'll come out, if it's anybody else, you 
must send them away and 

{Knock — push.) 
Blimboe. But if it's Sir George himself ? 
Dorothy, {runs up c.) Sir George ! {down to 
Blimboe) Oh, then you must send him to bed. 



118 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

(goes towards curtains) Or perhaps I'll come out 
and ask him where Ursula is. (up towards curtains) 
Won't he be surprised ? (down to Blimboe) 
Blimboe. Undoubtedly ! 

(Knocking repeated.) 
Dorothy, (runs quickly up behind curtains l. c.) 
Quick, quick, or the whole house will be roused — 
see, here I am ! 

Blimboe. Oh, lord — oh, lord ! (crosses to door 
with candle). 

(Kfiocks and holts.) 
(She runs back — goes behind curtains and peeps out.) 
(Blimboe rises, stands a minute, shakes his head, 
takes candle and exits off l. 2 e.) 

(A pause. Dorothy looks out from curtains.) 
Blimboe. Who is it ? Who is it ? (chain) 

Hassenden. Open the door ! 

Blimboe. You can't come in. (speaks expostu- 
latory) 

Hassenden. (speaking off l. 2 e.) But I will 
come in, sir. 

(Drop chain.) 
Stand aside. 

Blimboe. You can't come in. 

Dorothy, (peeping out) Mercy, it's Frank ! Oh, 
if he found me here ! (hides) 

(Enter HassExVden impetuously, followed by Blimboe. 
Hassenden in riding dress and spattered with mud. 
He crosses to r. c. in front of table.) 



Act IV] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 119 

Hassenden. (coming down) Now, sir, you are 
a parson 

Blimboe. (l. looking round nervously, then put- 
ting candle down on table and coming l., still holding 
poker) A Clerk in Holy Orders, my lord, at your 
service. 

Hassenden. (c. crosses up r. and back to table l.) 
Then, sir, it ill becomes you to screen villainy or to 
live in a house where villainy is practised. 

Blimboe. (l. of table l.) Villainy ! 

Hassenden. (places cloak on settle up r.) Aye, 
sir, rank villainy. The lady may have been rash 
and indiscreet 

Blimboe. (up by fireplace comes c.) Indeed 
since you say so 

Hassenden. Peace, sir. It is worse villainy to 
take advantage of her innocence. I ask you, sir, 
where is my — (goes up c. to Blimboe) 

Blimboe. (confused, comes down l.) Your — 
your betrothed, my lord ? 

Hassenden. (turns and crosses doivn l. of table) 
My betrothed ? Now what in the devil's name has 
my betrothed to do with the matter ? 

Blimboe. True, true ! Of course, my lord, 
nothing. I — I — grew confused. I — I was not in 
truth thinking of your betrothed, (crosses to table 

L.) 

Hassenden. (crosses below table to r. c.) The 
deuce take your thoughts ! Where is Lady 
Ursula ? 



120 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

(Blimboe drofs into chair l. of table, Hassenden 
crosses up to e. c.) 

[Sits) Aye, and where is your friend and patron 
Sir George Sylvester ? 

Blimboe. {despairingly) I don't know, my lord 
— I don't know. 

Hassenden. (goes up l. c. and doivn l. of table 
— rises) There was more in that fainting fit than I 
knew of. [crosses to Blimboe and shakes him by the 
shoulder) Listen, sir, listen ! {Dorothy looks out) I 
was engaged in a quarrel with Sir George, I had to 
go to London — I came home at midnight. What 
do I find, sir — what [loudly) do I find there ? [over 
his shoulder) 

Blimboe. I don't know ; I don't know even what 
you'll find here. 
(Hassenden crosses below table to r. c. and back to 

l. c, looking round. Dorothy hides hastily.) 

Hassenden. Here, no, nor I either ! On my 
return, sir, I found Miss Fenton gone to bed in 

Blimboe. Oh dear — oh dear ! 

Hassenden. Gone to bed in hysterics, sir — 
and her aunt weeping in the hall. And why ? 
[raises chair threateningly) 

(Blimboe fearful. Dorothy looks out again.) 
Because my sister has gone to this house at eight 
o'clock, and in man's clothes — so help me, mas- 
querading as her [puts chair down, sits) brother ! 
Before God, in breeches, sir, and now at 12 — at 12, 



Act IV] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 121 

sir, has not returned. Is she here, sir ? Where is 
she ? You're a parson, but by heaven (rises, goes 
down R. c.) I'll have the truth out of you, if I have it 
at my sword's point, 

Blimboe. Lord have mercy on us ! (jumps up) 

(Dorothy hides.) 

Hassenden. (going up R. c, turns quickly) Is 
she here, I say ? (looks round) 

Blimboe. (rising) No, no, she's not here ; Lady 
Ursula is not here. 

Hassenden. Sir, I will not take your word for it. 

Blimboe. (poker in hand, goes up l. and crosses 
down ton.) My lord, you are offensive. If I were not 
of a sacred profession (fencing at Hassenden) 

Hassenden. I think you're somewhat late in 
remembering your profession, sir. I know I cannot 

fight you, but (follows him, half draws his 

sword) You stand in my way at your peril. 

(Blimboe raises poker.) 

Out of my way, sir. 

(Blimboe up stage. Dorothy looks out. Blimboe 

sees her, motions her back and crosses to l. c. up 

stage.) 
I'll search every nook 

(Dorothy hides again.) 
and cranny of the house, but I'll find her. 

Blimboe. Lady Ursula is not here, I swear to 
you she isn't here. 



122 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

Hassenden. (r.) Then there's no harm done by 
my searching. 

(Blimboe looks at curtain.) 
Stand aside, sir. 

(Blimboe edges up between Hassenden and the 

curtains.) 
Stand aside, sir, stand aside. By heaven, I believe 
you have some one here ! Answer me, sir, is any one 
here ? 
(Blimboe mumbles a negative. Dorothy looks out, 

hides again.) 
I'll look for myself, sir. 
(Blimboe glances round, sees skirt and coughs loadlij. 

Hassenden stares at him suspiciously, he looks up at 

ceiling, so does Hassenden ; then Blimboe steals 

a glance round, Hassenden catches him and sees 

skirt at curtains.) 
There ! There ! (rushes up l.) 

(Blimboe catches hold of him.) 
Let me go, sir, let me go. 

Blimboe. But — but it's a skirt, my lord, and 
Lady Ursula wore 

Hassenden. Oh, Sir George may have more re- 
sources than we know of, sir. You'll not let me go, 

so 

(Hassenden pushes Blimboe back violently l., he 

falls on chest R., Hassenden goes up and lays hold of 

curtains.) 



Act IV] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 123 

I prefer to know the worst. My God, she's here ! 

(Hassenden falls hack aghast R. c. At this moment 
Sylvester appears l. 2 e. in doonvay, in his 
riding dress and hoots. Blimboe l. on chest, a 
short pause.) 

Sylvester, (doicn l.) Why — why, what's this ? 
The door standing open and {advancing) Lord Has- 
senden here, and — 

(Hassenden, hearing his voice, turns.) 

and 

Hassenden. Yes, I, Sir George, and 



(Steps up to Dorothy, and moves her hand from her 
face.) 

Good heavens, Dorothy ! (crosses dotvn R. c.) 

Blimboe. (on chest) Oh, lord, help us now ! 

Dorothy, (by fireplace, r. of chair up stage) I — I — 
(clasping her hands) Oh, Frank, it might have been 
Ursula ! 

Hassenden. (r. c. up stage) I admire your 
ingenuity in finding matter for consolation, madam. 
(moving to r., hat in hand) It might have been my 
sister — it is only my future wife. 

Dorothy, (running doivn to Blimboe l., who 
rises) Oh, Mr. Blimboe, must we tell the truth ? 

(Sylvester crosses to c.) 

Blimboe. Well, madam, the circumstances are 
desperate, (comes down l.) 



124 THE ADVBNTUEE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

Hassenden. (going down r.) Sir George Syl- 
vester, how comes that lady in your house ? 

Sylvester, [coming c.) I should suggest that 
you ask the lady. 

(Hassenden turns r. impatiently.) 

For myself, I should be glad to hear the answer to 
that question, and to one other. How came you 
here, my lord ? (n. of table l.) 

Hassenden. (r.) I came to seek my sister. 

Dorothy, (l. of table, with Blimboe) So did I, 
Frank. 

Hassenden. {to Dorothy) You knew she came 
here, then ? 

Dorothy. Oh, dear ! (turns again to Blimboe, 
who takes her hand and pats it) 

Hassenden. (to Sylvester) And you, sir, knew 
that my sister came here ? 

Sylvester, (c.) No, my lord, I know nothing. 
I may have my opinion. 

Hassenden. And that she is here ? 

Blimboe. (at door l., starting up) No, no ! 

Sylvester, (up c, puts cloak and hat on chair of 
R. table) Pray don't interpose, Mr. BHmboe. 

(Blimboe, crestfallen, goes up, sits in chair facing 

fireplace.) 
At last I can meet Lord Hassenden without an inter- 
mediary, (to Hassenden) The house lies open to 
you, my lord. Pray search it. You have found 
one lady here. You may find another. Who knows, 



Act IV] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 125 

who knows ? Ladies come even to houses where their 
presence is least looked for, and in no way invited. 
You and I know that, my lord. Blimboe, pray take 
a candle and guide Lord Hassenden. That door, 

my lord 

(Hassenden moves, irritated. Blimboe rises slowly, 

comes L., takes candle. Pointing R.) 
gives access to the stairs. I beg you to search — 
search thoroughly. For all I know, the whole village 
may be in hiding in my house. 
Hassenden. I will go. 

(Blimboe crosses r.) 
I do not trust you. 
{Goes c. to Sylvester, looks at him, going to door 

R. 2 E.) 

(Sylvester hows loiv.) 
Blimboe. My lord ! 

(Hassenden stamps foot.) 
Hassenden. (to Blimboe) Come, sir. 
(Blimboe, ivith candle, slinks off r. 2 e. fearfully. 
Hassenden motions him to precede him and, with 
a hoiv to Sylvester, follows him off r. 2.) 

(Sylvester crosses hastily to Dorothy.) 
Sylvester. Go after them. 
(Dorothy crosses to r. c. Sylvester follows her to c.) 
Tell him what you know ; let Blimboe tell what he 
knows. I left Lady Ursula at his own rooms in 
London about 11 o'clock. 



126 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

(Dorothy goes up to door r. Sylvester /o?/o?i;5.) 
After that, I know nothing. 

Dorothy, (r. c.) Oh, shall you fight after all ? 

Sylvester. I don't think so. 

Dorothy, (by door r.) But when he comes 
back ? 

Sylvester, (smiling) When he comes back, I 
shall not be here. If I stay, he'll force another quarrel. 
Keep him ten minutes and I shall be beyond his reach. 
My chaise is still at the door. 

Dorothy. You — you'll run away ? 

Sylvester, (to r. c.) Yes ! Quick after them ! 
Try to quiet him. Go, go ! 

(He leads her R., and Dorothy runs off.) 

(Sylvester stands looJcing after her, then hurriedly 

takes up hat and cloak.) 

I'll be off. Heaven save us, what a position ! God 
help all our reputations ! (looking off r. 2 e.) 

(Ursula appears in door l., in her oivn dress, and 

looking at him with a smile.) 
It would scarcely have been worse had he in very 
truth found Ursula. Ah, but what's become of the 
pretty madcap ? Faith, I would love to see her ! 
What's become of her ? 
Ursula, (to Sylvester) Sir George ! 

(Sylvester turns and starts.) 
I pray Heaven my brother is not here ; if you meet, 
there will be a fight after all. 



Act IV] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 127 

Sylvester, (r. of table) Lady Ursula ! 

Ursula. Yes, yes, but pray don't shout my 
name so loud, (comes down l.) Oh, Sir George, Sir 
George, what a quiet, peaceful world it would be if 
there were no men in it. {below table l.) 

Sylvester, (c.) Perhaps, madam, and I think 
there is at least, since 11 o'clock, one less in it ? 

Ursula. I will deal fairly with you. I will con- 
fess nothing. 

Sylvester, (r. of table) Nay, I'll deal hand- 
somely with you. I will assert nothing. 

Ursula, (going above table) And I will deny 
nothing, (crosses to c.) 

Sylvester. Why then, I will question nothing. 
(r. chair with cloak, etc.) 

Ursula, (c.) Moreover, I will remember nothing. 

Sylvester, (l. of table) To match you, I will 
forget nothing. 

Ursula, (c.) You don't please me there. I 
wish that you should forget. 

Sylvester. Everything ? 

Ursula, (smiling) At least, something. 

Sylvester, (below table) Well, I will forget Mr. 
Barrington. 

Ursula, (c, curtseying) You are swift to divine 
my wishes. 

Sylvester. In the presence of Lady Ursula, 
but, on my soul, only then. 

Ursula, (going to him) And, alas, I shall not 
be with you often. 



128 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

(Sylvester advances a step towards her.) 
Oh, I am forgetting my brother ! Is he here ? 
(moving to l. c. round chair) 

Sylvester. I must confess that he's somewhere 
in the house. 

Ursula, [crosses up r. c.) Oh, where — where ? 
And what is he doing ? 

Sylvester. To be frank, he is searching the house 
for you, Lady Ursula, [crosses R.) 

Ursula, (r. c.) He thinks I am here ? 

Sylvester. Such notions enter into a young 
man's hot head. 

Ursula. Is he angry ? 

Sylvester. Monstrously ! Did you come to seek 
him? 

Ursula, [going l.) Yes, to seek him and Dorothy. 

Sylvester, [smiling) And for no other purpose ? 

Ursula, [turns, goes a step doivn r. c, smiling) 
Pray, is Dorothy here ? 

Sylvester, [folloivs her) For no other purpose 
under heaven ? 

Ursula. I — I did not expect to find you here. 

Sylvester, [following her) You would have 
come, and gone, and never let me know ? 

Ursula. Yes, indeed, unless 

Sylvester, [going nearer to her) Unless what, 
Lady Ursula ? 

Ursula, [goes r.) Unless I chanced again to 
drop my handkerchief, [crosses R.) 
[A pause.) 



Act IV] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 129 

Sylvester, (following, low) Will you give it to 
me ? Indeed you owe it to me. 

Ursula, {by chair r. c.) How does this request 
agree with your vow, sir ? 

(Sylvester tahes a step back.) 
Should he beg a lady's handkerchief who has sworn 
never to see a lady's face ? 

Sylvester, (l. c.) The oath was improvident. 
I own it. Yet, having sworn, I will observe it. 
{moves towards her) 

Ursula, {crosses to l.) You will observe it ? 
Why then 

Sylvester, (l. c.) Save by the merest hair's 
breadth. 

Ursula, {crosses to l. of table) Ah ! 

Sylvester. For I break it by the merest hair's 
breadth if — {he comes close to her, R. of her) if, hence- 
forward, I see only one. Give me the handkerchief. 

Ursula, {going r.) I think — I think we are 
forgetting my brother. 

Sylvester, (c, sighing) I think I am forgetting 
my flight. I was about to escape when you arrived. 

Ursula. To escape ? {crosses to Sylvester) 

Sylvester. From your brother's fury, unless he 
is pacified by what he hears from Miss Fenton and 
from Bhmboe. 

Ursula, {up r. of table) Surely he will be, and 
there will be nothing then for you to escape from. 

{Voices heard off R.) 



130 THE ADVENTURR OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

Sylvester, (r. c.) Indeed, there will be nothing 
that I can or would escape from. 

Ursula. Ah, what's that ? Is that my brother ? 

Sylvester, {crosses to n.) I fear it is. And he 
will not have found you. 

Ursula. No, and he shall not. I'll hide. Where 
shall I hide ? 

Sylvester, (comes c.) No, no, you mustn't ! 

Ursula. Yes, but I will. I would not have him 
find me here. Where shall I hide ? (looks round) 
Ah, the curtains ! (runs up c.) 

Sylvester (pursuing her to c.) No, no, in heaven's 
name not the curtains ! 

Ursula, (pausing a moment) Why not ? 

Sylvester. Because — because Miss 

(Voices heard again off R. 2 e.) 
Ursula. There is no time for anything else. See, 

I'm hidden safe ! (gets behind curtains l. c.) 

Sylvester, (to l. of sofa up r. c.) Yes, so was 

Miss Dorothy ! 

(Enter Dorothy and Blimboe and Lord Hassenden. 
Sylvester turns and comes down hastily as Has- 
senden enters R., followed by Dorothy and Blim- 
boe who remain R. Hassenden comes to fireplace.) 

Well, my lord, you have searched, and not found 

what you sought ? 

Hassenden. No, Sir George, I have not searched, 

and I will not search ; I have been informed of all 

that has passed by Miss Fenton and Mr. Blimboe, 



Act IV] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 131 

and {pause) in truth, I must admit that it is you, 
not I, who have cause for complaint. 

Sylvester. I complain of nothing in what has 
passed. 

(Dorothy runs over to Hassenden at fireplace L., 
turns, looks behind curtains. Sylvester catches 
her by the hand and places her r.) 

Hassenden. You, not I, are entitled to satisfac- 
tion. 

Sylvester, {coming down c.) So far as matters 
have gone, my lord, I am most heartily satisfied. 

(Blimboe yawning, and stretching himself, goes up 
towards curtains.) 

Hassenden. I am ready to answer for my sister's 
fault. It is in excuse for her {coming doivn l.), not 
for myself, that I beg you to remember her youth 
and ignorance. 

Sylvester. In my eyes Lady Ursula needs no 
defence. 

Hassenden. (l. below table) She meant to save 
me from danger into which her own thoughtlessness 
has brought me. However mistaken her action, I 
can't find it in my heart to be hard on her. 

Sylvester, {turns, throws book at Blimboe) 
It is the last thing that I should find in my heart. 
May we then be friends, according to her wish ? 

(Blimboe comes down r. c.) 

Hassenden. I desire nothing better, {comes 



132 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

R. of table) And after all that I have heard, it is but 
as a form that I beg the pledge of your word, your 
simple word as a gentleman 

Sylvester. To secrecy ? Assuredly it is yours. 

Hassenden. That I am sure of. But I did not 
mean that. 

Sylvester, (l.) What then? I am at your 
service absolutely. 

Hassenden. (c.) Why, merely your word that 
my sister is not here. 

Dorothy, (coming forward to Sylvester l. helow 
table) Yes, and then we can go and seek her. She 
must be home by now. 

Blimboe. {coming forward R. down stage) And 
so the whole matter ends. 

Hassenden. (l. c.) It is with that object that 
I beg the favour of Sir George's assurance. 

Sylvester, (crosses to Hassenden c, embar- 
rassed) Ah yes, yes — true you ask my — merely 
my ? 

Dorothy, (coming l. of Sylvester) Just your 
word that Ursula is not here. 

Hassenden. (coming r. of Sylvester) That my 
sister is not here. 

Blimboe. (r. crosses to front of him, back to 
audience) Exactly — exactly — that Lady Ursula is 
not here. 

Sylvester, (c.) Come, now, I'll explain the 
whole matter, the entire affair. 

Hassenden. (r. c.) No, no ! (crosses r.) 



Act IV] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 133 

Sylvester. From tlie very beginning ! It was 

four o'clock that 

(Blimboe (joes r.) 

Dorothy, (r.) Pray do not rehearse the whole 
story again, Sir George. 

Hassenden. (r. c.) No need, believe me, no 
need ! Your mere assurance sends me away content. 

Dorothy, (goes up l., crosses to r.) Indeed it 
is late and we should all be abed. 

Blimboe. (crosses up at hack to above table l.) 
Aye, and I have my sermon still to finish. 

Sylvester, (doivn l. c.) My lord, you — you do 
me wrong to ask the pledge of my word from me. 

(All sJioiv surprise, Hassenden anger.) 
Hassenden. (r.) Seeing your strange hesitation, 

sir, I begin to think that I do wrong to offer to accept 

it. 
Dorothy, (to Hassenden r. c, laying hand on his 

arm, takes him R.) Frank ! Frank ! 

Sylvester, (angrily) My lord, you 

Blimboe. (crosses dotvn to r. of Sylvester, going 

to Sylvester and restraining him, then crosses to 

round table l.) Sir George ! 

(Sylvester and Hassenden front one another from r. 
and L. A pause.) 
Hassenden. (going r. tvith Dorothy tvith a 

sneering laugh) We have peacemakers again I see 

— more peacemakers ! 

Sylvester, (c.) I will not quarrel ! My lord. 



134 THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

you put me to my word. I — I do not like the test. 
But I have no alternative. Since you put me to it I 
will 

Hassenden. (r.) You'll give it ? Ah, I knew 
you would. I wronged you. I will ask no more. 

Sylvester, (c.) Yes, I will. 

Ursula, (l. c. stepping out from heliind the cur- 
tains) No ! 

(All turn to her and start,) 

Hassenden. Ursula ! (r. takes a step forward 
above chair r.) 

(Blimboe crosses up to chest l.) 

Dorothy. Heaven save us — Ursula ! {turns, 
drops into chair r. c.) 

Ursula, (c.) I am here. I will not have this 
gentleman dishonour his word for me. Frank, for 
me he has done everything. For me he has given 
up a just quarrel with you, for me his house has been 
invaded, for me he has faced the contempt of his 
friends, for me his vow not to fight has been endan- 
gered, his vow to see no woman broken. And for me 
he — he has declared in public, in face of ridicule, a 
feeling he could not entertain, {coming down l.) 
(Sylvester goes up c. Blimboe goes up to fireplace. 

Sylvester joins him there.) 

To shelter my good name he has done all this. But 

he shall not dishonour his word for me. You ask him 

if I am here. Here I am. {to Hassenden r. c.) 

{A pause.) 



Act IV] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 135 

Hassenden. {sloivly) But how did you come 
here — and when ? 

Ursula, (c.) A few moments ago. The chaise 
is now at the door with Quilton. 

(Hassenden crosses to l. c.) 
Question the man if you will. I heard you had come 
here, and I came to seek you. 

Hassenden. Seeking me ? {turns to her) Is 
that in truth all, Ursula ? 

Dorothy, {rises, comes to Hassenden) Why, for 
what else, Frank ? 

Blimboe. Surely for nothing else, my lord, {takes 
a step L. c.) 

(Sylvester comes doivn l.) 

Ursula, (r. c.) For nothing else, I vow. Ah, 
you believe me, Frank ? 

Hassenden. {smiling) Why, yes, I believe you. 
{smiles and takes her hands, kisses her, turns to Syl- 
vester) And once again I must beg forgiveness of 
Sir George. 

Sylvester, (l. by table, crosses to Hassenden, 
takes his hand) You, my lord, I do most heartily 
forgive. But it is hard for me to do the Hke for Lady 
Ursula. 

( Hassenden crosses and goes up l. of table. Dorothy 
goes above chair R.) 

Ursula, {feigning surprise, crosses toi,. c.) Why, 
what's your quarrel with me. Sir George ? I protest 
that when I left you to go behind the curtain you 



136 < THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. [Act IV. 

were^in^tlie most amiable temper. But, sir, you are 
my friend now ? 

(Blimboe crosses doivn e. to Hassenden.) 
Sylvester, (l. helotv table) I will change that 
name only for a better. 

{Warn curtain.) 

Dorothy, (crosses r. to Blimboe and Hassen- 
den) Oh, there will be no duel then ? 

Sylvester. Nay, but I fear there has been one. 

Hassenden. (r. between Dorothy r. c. and 
Blimboe r.) There has ? 

Sylvester. Between Lady Ursula and myself. 
She had the choice of weapons and 

Hassenden. And she chose 

(Dorothy hushing him. Blimboe laughs and comes 
down, whispers to Hassenden.) 
Ursula, (a step to c.) Those that your sex 
invented, don't lay the blame on us. 

(Dorothy goes up behind chair r. c.) 

Sylvester, (below table l. c.) At least I am sore 
wounded 

Dorothy, (crosses to c, going to Ursula) Won't 
you bind up his wounds for him, Ursula ? 
(On saying this Dorothy laughs, and she turns and 

goes up to window, chasing Hassenden and Blimboe 

up to window.) 
(Sylvester advances towards Ursula, who stands 
hesitating and embarrassed.) 



Act IV] THE ADVENTURE OF LADY URSULA. 137 

(Music to curtain.) 

Ursula, {shy and laughing) I — I — {suddenly 
advances to Sylvester, holding out handkerchief) 
Yes, let him take — and keep this handkerchief. 

(As she gives him handkerchief, he seizes her hands. 
Dorothy pushes Blimboe and Hassenden into 
alcove and draws curtains.) 

Sylvester, {kneels at her feet) You drew the 
loaded pistol — and I fall! {kisses her hands) 

QUICK curtain. 



END OF PLAY. 




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